The thoughts and dreams put into Tsumami-zaiku (traditional Japanese fabric flower making)

Continuing from last timeWe interviewed Tsumami-zaiku artist Yoshie Mahiko about Tsumami-zaiku. In this final installment, Ms. Mahiko shared her thoughts and dreams about the craft she puts into her Tsumami-zaiku.

The charm of Tsumami-zaiku spreading throughout the world

Yoshie Mahiko, who currently runs a tsumami zaiku (traditional Japanese fabric flower making) class in Utsunomiya, says that when she hears students say things like, "I was so happy when I made one, I ended up making 40 more of the same flower!", it makes her very happy, as it shows that she has conveyed the joy of tsumami zaiku. Surprisingly, some students have even come all the way from Australia. The charm of tsumami zaiku is spreading all over the world.

How the popular Tsumami Zaiku kit from Couturier was created

In the "Tsumami Zaiku" kit series from Couturier, one of the most popular is "A Fusion of Japanese and Western Styles: Tsumami Zaiku Featuring National Flowers of the World Made with Chirimen Fabric." Ms. Yoshie Mahiko says that recreating various national flowers using tsumami zaiku was a challenging but very enjoyable process.

Wonderful ways to use Tsumami-zaiku (traditional Japanese fabric flower making)

When we asked Yoshie Mahiko for advice for customers, she suggested, "Tsumami zaiku (traditional Japanese fabric flower making) is cute on its own, but please try connecting many of them together and attaching them to collars, hat brims, or headbands. You can also enjoy the fun of connecting many small motifs." Attaching them to a basket bag would also give it a modern and cute look.

Creative ideas can be found in everyday life.

Yoshie Mahiko often goes to flower shops and thinks, "I wonder if I could make this flower using tsumami zaiku (a traditional Japanese fabric flower making technique)," and has even made it a reality on many occasions. Looking ahead, she says, "There are still so many flowers I haven't made yet, so I'd like to try expressing them using tsumami zaiku," showing that her curiosity is endless.

I want to spread the art of tsumami zaiku (traditional Japanese fabric flower making) as something that can be enjoyed on a daily basis.

Tsumami-zaiku, a type of traditional Japanese fabric craft, is often used for special occasions, such as hairpins. However, she also shared her dream of expanding tsumami-zaiku to include brooches, barrettes, and corsages—accessories that can be worn casually and enjoyed more often, suitable for both Japanese and Western styles.

Tsumami-zaiku (traditional Japanese fabric flower making) can be enjoyed by everyone from beginners to advanced crafters. Why not give it a try this autumn?