Special Exhibition "Atelier Shimura's Cherry Blossoms"

Speaking of spring, of course, cherry blossoms come to mind. For us, cherry blossoms are the origin of plant dyeing, and through Makoto Ooka's book "The Power of Words," the story of dyeing and weaving artist Fukumi Shimura's cherry blossom dyeing became widely known.
Going back in time, admiration for cherry blossoms can be seen in many waka poems from the Heian period. For example, Ariwara no Narihira's waka poem and the poem that is said to be his reply poem beautifully express the dual nature of the Japanese aesthetic sense toward cherry blossoms.

If the world were free of cherry blossoms, the spirit of spring would be more peaceful. (Ariwara no Narihira / Kokin Wakashu)

If there were no cherry blossoms in the world, how peaceful and calm would people's hearts be during the spring? (It is only because of the cherry blossoms that we are anxious about when they will bloom and when they will fall that our hearts become restless.)

The cherry blossoms are all the more beautiful when they fall. What will last forever in this sad world? (Anonymous / Reply poem)

(No, no, they don't bloom forever) It is precisely because they fall that cherry blossoms become even more beautiful. In this harsh world, is there anything that never changes? (It is their falling that is so moving.)

There is a feeling of nostalgia for the cherry blossoms, but also a feeling of admiration for their beauty precisely because they fall. I believe this duality is what makes cherry blossoms so special. We too have incorporated the eternal beauty of cherry blossoms and the sense of impermanence into the colors of the cherry blossoms. We hope you will take the time to view them.

Atelier Shimura Representative Masashi Shimura

Date and time: Friday, March 6th - Tuesday, April 14th, 12:00-17:30 (closed Wednesdays and Thursdays) Venue: Atelier Shimura Gallery & School, Setagaya, Tokyo
6-17-7 Soshigaya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo

Exhibition and sale items: New cherry blossom kimono, rolls of fabric, cherry blossom obiage and obijime, stoles, and small items.

For inquiries, please contact: tel: 03-6411-1215 or email: gallery@ateliershimura.co.jp

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◼︎Related talk events

We are planning to hold a talk event on the theme of "cherry blossoms."
More details will be announced on the Atelier Shimura website at a later date.

◼︎Related Workshops

During the period, we will be offering workshops on cherry blossom dyeing and weaving using cherry blossom dyed thread.
When you burn the branches and trunks of cherry blossoms just before they bloom, you can enjoy a sweet fragrance like sakura mochi and a soft, elegant color. In the season when we eagerly await news of the flowers, enjoy dyeing your whole body in spring while being enveloped in the color and fragrance of cherry blossoms.

*We are also planning to hold cherry blossom dyeing and weaving workshops in April and May.

An encounter of light, wind and color - A half-day cherry blossom dyeing course

Playing the Sound of Threads - One-Day Sakura Dyeing and Weaving Course

April and May Sakura Dyeing and Weaving Workshop