Are you familiar with "Tsumami-zaiku," the currently popular craft?

Tsumami-zaiku, a craft that can be made without needles or thread and boasts a beautiful finish, is a popular art form. This time, we interviewed Yoshie Mahiko, a renowned tsumami-zaiku artist, about what sparked her passion for this craft. (This will be presented as a four-part series.)

Yoshie Makoto's encounter with tsumami zaiku (traditional Japanese fabric flower making) began at her daughter's coming-of-age ceremony.

Yoshie Mahiko first learned about tsumami zaiku (a type of fabric flower making) when her daughter had her coming-of-age ceremony. She wanted to prepare a tsumami zaiku hair ornament to match her daughter's furisode (long-sleeved kimono), and when she saw some that she had ordered from Kyoto, she was so inspired that she wanted to make one herself.

Exploring my own style by trial and error

Remembering that she had kept her daughter's hair ornament from her Shichi-Go-San celebration, Yoshie Mahiko apparently took it apart and tried to recreate it herself by trial and error. That was the first tsumami zaiku (folded fabric flower) she ever made. It's amazing that she got to where she is today entirely self-taught, without taking lessons from a teacher or reading books. Yoshie Mahiko has been surrounded by handmade crafts since she was a child. Next to her grandmother, who regularly practiced Japanese sewing, she was engrossed in making clothes for dolls from a young age. She was also skilled at making clothes, and when her daughter was little, she made almost all of her children's clothes herself.

Establish your own unique style of tsumami zaiku (traditional Japanese fabric flower making).

Yoshie Mahiko has established her own unique style of tsumami zaiku (traditional Japanese fabric flower making) by experimenting with various fabrics, materials, and folding techniques. Currently, she mainly uses hitokoshi chirimen, a thin and easy-to-handle type of chirimen fabric. Hitokoshi chirimen is a very popular fabric in the Couturier collection. It is not only easy to adhere and work with, but the beauty of the fabric itself is also highly praised.

This "Tsumami Zaiku" kit, created in collaboration with Yoshie Mahiko, comes with easy-to-understand instructions so even beginners can create beautiful tsumami zaiku. It provides detailed explanations of tips and points to keep in mind for a perfect finish. All the necessary materials are included, so you can start making tsumami zaiku as soon as it arrives.

Next time, we'll explore the charm of "Tsumami-zaiku" (traditional Japanese fabric flower making).We'll be asking Ms. Yoshie Mahiko for more in-depth information on this topic, so please look forward to it!