Sakiori(lit., tear-weave) is a traditional hand-weaving technique widely practiced in cold regions of northern Japan since the mid-Edo period (18th century), where cotton plants did not grow and people would weave cloth with asa (hemp or ramie). Later, the　appearance of cargo ship called Kitamaebune for carrying used cotton cloth to the regions enabled weavers, who had used only asa fiber, to use soft warm cotton cloth with great joy. Kimonos of cotton cloth were used again and again until they almost fell apart. Weavers would tear the kimono fabric into thin strips and give a new life to them by weaving.

Sakiori has grown out of the wisdom of the ancestors of the northern Japan who recycled and reused cloth.

I was born and grew up in downtown Tokyo. Needless to say, there were many kinds of traditional arts and crafts in Tokyo, but the area where I spent my childhood had no such artistic atmosphere.When I was 19 years old, l came upon the scene where many ropes were stretched between trees and some more ropes were woven among them. I was greatly impressed and moved with the hammock making, finding a new world woven out of warp and woof.It was the moment I experienced and understood the essence of weaving for the first time. I made up my mind to make this work as my vocation.As I studied the weaving on my own for some time, I came across again a strange textile,named”sakiori”. It was not necessarily beautiful but was rich in the indescribable expression of naivety and warmth. It was produced by

people’s deep wisdom not to waste clothes. But as we live in this modern world, I intend to make my textile “more tasteful and stylish”.

Yoko Tamura

Yoko Tamura

Born in Tokyo

Graduated from Bunka Gakuin.

Studied hand-weaving with Toyo Nakayama who led  Hachijojima Textile Research Institute,and learned the basics of kusakizome(vegetable dyeing)from Seiju Yamazaki.Thereafter,has continued to learn by herself.

Awards

1978 Received Fine Work Prize for grass-dyed and hand-woven kimono entitled Asaborake(lit.,daybreak) at theExhibition sponsored by the Japan Dyeing Weaving Artists Association.

1996　Grass-dyed and hand-woven tapestry entitled I Remember the Moon was selected for Asia Contemporary Art Exhibition and received Encouragement Prize at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum and Kanazawa Prefectural Museum of Art.

Exhibitions

1993　Invited to exhibit Sakiori clothes and shawls dyed from plants in Art and the Vineyard at Maude Kerns Art Center, Eugene, Oregon, along with others including craft artists. There, held Sakiori workshop using Takahata. Exhibited in the 1st Izu Artists Group at Atami Sancrino Art Museum. 

1995 Grass-dyed and hand-woven kimono entitled Akeyuku(lit., a day begins to dawn) was selected for Asia Contemporary Art Exhibition at Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno.

To present, has held solo, two-person, and group exhibitions, workshops, etc., at metropolitan and local art galleries in Japan. In 2004 and 2006 through 2010, lecturer at Liberty Academy,Meiji University, Tokyo.

Gallery Kairou Toki (Gallery Corridor Toki)

"Kairo Toki," located in Odawara, Kanagawa, is an almost 100 year-old Japanese traditional farmhouse. 

The house, where she now lives and works, is used as Yoko Tamura's dyeing and weaving studio and as a gallery to show her Sakiori works and other various artists' hand-made crafts.

In every February when ume (Japanese apricot) flower blooms, "Artists' Cafe for Life"exhibition has been held there over a month. The house is also used as a venue for Odawara Biennale to exhibit contemporary art works: "Kairo" (lit., a corridor or gallery)is a place for visitors to enjoy meeting with each other and feel "Toki" (lit., a time)meaning each moment of warping and weaving by Yoko Tamura.