Sayoko Matsueda

About the Artist

The Ultimate Handwork

Sayoko Matsueda is a designated holder of binding and weaving techniques of Kurume Kasuri, a traditional craft designated as an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan. The Matsueda family started their business as a weaver in 1882. Sayoko's husband Tetsuya was the 5th generation, but passed away in 2020. She is currently striving to pass on the traditional techniques with her son Takahiro. The Matsueda family is known for picture kasuri where various patterns are woven like pictures. Patterns such as flowers and birds are designed, and the warp threads and bound weft threads are dyed with natural indigo dye based on the design. Sometimes there can be thousands of bindings in the weft threads. The techniques to hand weave beautiful and precise patterns using the weft threads that have been accurately bound and dyed are absolutely amazing.

Biography

• 1956
  Born in Kumamoto Prefecture
• 1974
  Studied drawing and oil painting under Takuma Murayama in Nagasaki
• 1979
  Studied under Rikizo Munehiro, Living National Treasure for Gujo Kasuri
  Studied plant dyeing, kasuri and tsumugi weave at Gujo Craft Institute in Hachiman Town, Gujo, Gifu Prefecture
• 1982
  Studied under Mizuko Torisu
  Later on learned Hanaori weave with raised figures, gauze, ro gauze and figured gauze weave
• 1991
  Invited to submit to the "Japanese Kimono Dyeing-Weaving Exhibition" at Textile Museum Max Berk (Heidelberg, Germany)
  Dyeing and Weaving: Contemporary Trends II (The Museum of Modern Art, Gunma)
• 1994
  Designated as Member of the Group of Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Property for Kurume Kasuri
• 1997
  Becomes Full Member of the Japan Kōgei Association
• 2009
  Submitted to "Craftworks of Today in Kyushu and Okinawa – Tradition and Creation" at Kyushu National Museum
• 2011
  Invited to submit to "Artisanship and Aesthetic of Japan and Thailand"

Awards

• 1989
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Gold Award at the 24th West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 1990
  Received the Grand Award, Minister of International Trade and Industry Award at the 15th All Japan New Artists Textiles Exhibition
• 2012
  Received the Nikkei Inc. Award at the 46th Textiles Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2015
  Received the Sanyo Shimbun Award at the 49th Textiles Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2019
  Received the Mitsukoshi Isetan Award at the 53rd Textiles Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Fukuoka CIty Mayor Award at the 54th West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2021
  Asahi Shimbun Grand Award, 55th West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition