Kimiko Shirabe
- Wood and Bamboo
- 1957 -
I use the nawame hishi sashiami (rope and lozenge plaiting) technique on producing my artwork. Recently, I weave an "armor" over this. As the shadows of the woven bamboo are beautiful when looking into the vessel, I have been making vessels with wide mouths for the past 2 years as I wanted people to see more of the inside of the vessel.
I am also working on bundle plaiting. I made a basket using this technique which I learned from Soho Katsushiro during 2017 – 2018, and received the Yamaguchi Branch Manager Award at the Yamaguchi Traditional Kōgei Exhibition in 2020.
I am also using a technique called kushimeami which my master Kochikusai Tanabe learned from his master Shounsai Shono (Living National Treasure), and am trying to make a new form with this technique.
| Membership | Full member, Japan Kogei Association |
|---|
- 1957 Born in Yamaguchi (currently living in Yamaguchi)
- 1988 Moves to Oita (– 2019)
Learns about bamboo work in Oita and studies under Kochikusai Tanabe (apprentice of Shounsai Shono)
Has been producing bamboo artwork from this year onward - Selected for:
The Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition 3 times
The Wood and Bamboo Traditional Kōgei Exhibition twice
The West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition 12 times - I moved to Oita when my husband was transferred and learned bamboo craft there.
I started from submitting to public entry exhibitions once a year and built my career slowly for more than 20 years.
I moved back to Yamaguchi with my family, and am currently working on my artwork at home.
- 2008Received the Beppu Mayor Award at the Bamboo Crafts in Our Daily Life Exhibition
- 2015Received the Kounsai Award at the Bamboo Crafts in Our Daily Life Exhibition
- 2016Received the Kounsai Award at the Bamboo Crafts in Our Daily Life Exhibition
- 2019Received the Tsuruya Department Store Award at the West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (Beauty of Use Division)
- 2020Received the Branch Manager Award at the Yamaguchi Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
- 2023Received the Branch Manager Award at the Yamaguchi Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
Price Range
$ 2,000 - 7,000
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