Rie Sasaki

About the Artist

Textile Artist of Echizen Weaving Blessings of Nature

Textile artist Rie Sasaki studied and restored the traditional textile of Fukui. She added some new material to this and is currently making "Echizen Ishidajima". As Sasaki wanted to make textiles that make the most of the characteristics of her hometown Fukui, she used Echizen Washi (Japanese paper) made from the fibers of bamboo, Diplomorpha sikokiana and paper mulberry. Thread is made from this paper and is woven with the plant-dyed silk threads to create a natural and soft texture. Not only does Sasaki carry on the tradition, but her inquisitive spirit has created a new textile with artistic value.

Style

I wanted to make textiles that take advantage of the characteristics of my hometown Fukui ever since I started making textiles. Chikushi (bamboo film) is made of Echizen Washi (traditional Japanese paper) made from 50% bamboo fiber, 25% gampi (species of a flowering plant), and 25% paper mulberry. I cut the bamboo film thinly and twist them into thread. I mix them with plant dyed silk threads to weave textiles with a unique texture.

Biography

• 1963
  Born in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture
• 1984
  Graduated from Jinai Women's College, Department of Home Economics
  Studied and worked on restoration of "Ishidajima", a cotton textile made in Sabae until the early Showa period (1940s) while in college
• 1989
  Presented "Echizen Ishidajima" based on "Ishidajima" where bamboo film (chikushi) is woven into the the cotton textile
  Continues to produce the textile from this year onward
• 1999
  Becomes in charge of production of pulp cloth products as a part of the Tannan Industrial Exchange Program (– 2009)
• 2008
  Provided technical support on the establishment of Sabae Fiber Association Ishidajima Handweaving Center
  Works as weaving instructor (– 2013)
• 2009
  Started producing obi sashes made of bamboo film textiles
• 2011
  Selected for the 45th Textiles Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time
• 2014
  Selected for the Japan Folk Crafts Museum New Works Competition and Exhibition for the first time
• 2015
  Echizen Ishidajima designated as Fukui Prefecture's Local Handicraft
• 2017
  Selected for the 64th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time

Awards

• 2007
  Received the Fukui Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award