The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto is currently hosting a retrospective of Living National Treasure Shimura Fukumi, titled "Shimura Fukumi: A Return to Boro," through March 21st. A master of plant dyeing and a designated holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) for her tsumugi weaving skills, Shimura continues to weave using techniques unchanged since ancient times.

Shimura has released 16 new pieces since last year in preparation for this exhibition. We would like to share with you the thoughts behind the title of the exhibition, "Boro," and some of its highlights.

■ Shimura's Thoughts on "Boro"

In times of poverty when thread was scarce, weaving leftover threads was called "kuzuori" or "boroori." Shimura had long been fascinated by the beauty of the "rags" that form the material used to weave the fabric. Shimura's mother asked an elderly woman to spin short threads into balls of yarn, and the remaining balls of thread were left over. Feeling it was a waste, Shimura has been using them little by little for 40 years. She writes that the impetus for creating this piece, "Boro," came from a thought that crossed her mind: "At my age, how long can I keep weaving?" The piece woven using this precious connecting thread is the eye-catching "Boro Mandala" at the entrance to the exhibition. The character "boro" (boro) represents the "clothing" of "mother," and the piece embodies Shimura's inspiration for weaving, as well as the "rags" that were washed and used to cleanse the clothes of the dead and those who have passed away. "When I weave one piece, I feel like it's the last," Shimura says. This piece, which demonstrates her strong determination to use the entire ball of thread and preserve it in her work, seems to breathe new life into the rags. I was deeply impressed by the strength of the thread and the vibrant colors of the piece.


■ In search of the unseen, "phantom colors"

In works woven with thread dyed with natural dyes such as those from plants, onions, and plums, I continue to pursue the elusive "phantom colors." For example, when dyeing something pink with cherry blossoms, everyone assumes that it can be dyed with flowers, but in fact, if you dye it with cherry blossom petals, the result is a grayish-green color. To achieve this, I hear that boiling cherry blossom twigs creates a soft pink hue. And even after cutting down a cherry blossom branch, the color continues to live on. Shimura calls this "the color of plant life." Her words and works exude a constant sense of gratitude for the living plants, as if she were in conversation with them.

■ Still Creating New Works at Over 90

The 16 newly created works include the aforementioned "Momo Mandala," a triptych woven in Shimura's cherished colors of indigo, white, and gold, as well as a stunning 12-color plain kimono embodying "Shimura's Colors." Additionally, "Path of Light" features an installation in which 43 colors of thread are used to represent threads stretched taut on a loom. The colors of life create a beautiful gradation, creating a fantastical and powerful path of colored threads.


■ A 60-Year Journey of Creativity Devoted to Dyeing and Weaving

Shimura's woven works, inspired by Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, where she was born, are expressed using a beautiful indigo color, such as "Lake of the Moon," "Water Gate," and "Winter Lake." Also on display in the "Tale of Genji Series," inspired by the Tale of Genji, are works based on the titles of each chapter, such as "Wakamurasaki," and a character, "Princess Akashi." Other exhibits on display include works from the Literature Series and works inspired by Mingei, Shimura's starting point, showcasing his creative journey over the past 60 years.




We spoke to Ryuichi Matsubara, curator of the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, who visited Shimura's studio many times and spoke to him extensively in preparation for this exhibition. His words, "There is no lie in Shimura's work," left a strong impression. For 60 years, he has repeatedly performed every step of the process, from dyeing to weaving, until he was satisfied, and he continues to search for his own unique color. Shimura's attitude of creating things with an honest heart, her constant gratitude for everything, and her constant enthusiasm for her next piece are as beautiful as the threads she dyes.


■Shimura Fukumi
Born in Shiga Prefecture in 1924, she began weaving under the influence of her mother, Ono Yutaka. Her first submission was selected for the 4th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 1982, and she continued to receive awards thereafter. In 1990, she was recognized as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) for Tsumugi weaving. In 2015, she was awarded the Order of Culture, and in the same year was named "VOGUE JAPAN WOMAN OF THE YEAR 2015." ） English:
Reference: Shimura Fukumi: Returning to Rag
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[Event Information]
"Shimura Fukumi: Returning to Rag" in commemoration of receiving the Order of Culture
Venue: The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, 3rd Floor Special Exhibition Room
Address: Okazaki Enshoji-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture
Dates: February 2nd - March 21st
Hours: 9:30am - 5:00pm (last entry 4:30pm)
Closed: Every Monday (except March 21st)
Admission: 900 yen for adults, 500 yen for university students, free for high school students and those under 18
"Shimura Fukumi: Returning to Rag" will begin at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, and will then be held at the Okinawa Prefectural Museum & Art Museum and the Setagaya Art Museum.