KOKURA STRIPES is traditional cotton cloth, which was popular in Japan from the Edo period (17C-19C). The fabric named after its town of production in the southwestern Japan is soft and strong and was originally used for hakama(kilts for men) and obi(sashes) of samurai. Woven with pre-dyed cotton yarn, technically much more warp than weft, the cloth shows clear vertical stripes(shima) and the marvelous three-dimensional effect the stripes create is the most distinctive feature of the weaving. The production of the textile was, though, virtually ceased some 80 years ago and the details of weaving were lost then. Falling in love with the beauty of the strictly straightforward stripes, I spent many years to find out the technique in ancient documents, which led to the revival of the once extinct crafts and creation of a new form of traditional art to be appreciated in the modern world. Inspiration for the designs lies everywhere ——in changes of the seasons, sound of rain, moonlight, stream of water, and sometimes even resonance of classical music. For Kokura Cresation Inc.'s SHIMA-SHIMA, I am trying to offer stripes suitable for their machine-woven cloth which is wider in shape and is made into much more variety of goods and accessaries than my hand-weaving works, thus making traditional crafts affordable to more costumers. I wish the universal charm of KOKURA STRIPES would touch many people's hearts over the world and believe that the challenge of SHIMA-SHIMA will help it.

Noriko TsuikiTextile Artist, Regular Member of Japan Art Crafts Association, Designer and Special Adviser of SHIMA-SHIMA