How have you been?
As I continue to study traditional Japanese patterns, I have also been sharing related insights and information with all of you.
A First Step Toward My Dream
Currently, I support personal branding through fashion and digital publications.
For some time now, I have had a dream:
“To create my own brand that incorporates Japanese culture and traditional patterns.”
I will share more details once the vision becomes clearer, but today marks a significant step forward in turning that dream into reality.
Last year, I visited Kyoto and experienced traditional karakami (decorative paper) making.
While exploring how I could incorporate traditional patterns into my work, I had the opportunity to share my ideas with the artisans of Edo Karakami, who have been preserving this cultural craft.
As a result, we decided to take on a new challenge together.
About Edo Karakami – Karagen
Karagen has been preserving the tradition of Edo Karakami since the Kaei era (mid-19th century).
This time, the third-generation artisan, Yukio Koizumi—who is also certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Tokyo—and the fourth-generation artisan, Masayuki Koizumi, worked together to conduct test printings.
Karakami is a technique where intricate patterns carved into woodblocks are hand-printed onto washi paper.
Traditionally, Karagen has applied these patterns only to paper.
However, this time I proposed something new:
Printing on a variety of materials with different textures and thicknesses.
Since this was a first-time challenge for them as well, they experimented with adjusting materials such as natural glue, pigments, mica, and shell powder.
Everyone was deeply curious about how the results would turn out.
When we saw the finished pieces, the unexpected textures and outcomes sparked excitement—revealing new possibilities and discoveries.
For me as well, being able to see my ideas take shape in front of my eyes was an incredibly valuable experience.
Toward Realizing My Vision
To bring my ideas to life, there are still many things to consider—from materials and forms to design and production.
The journey ahead may be long.
But when I imagine the vision of success beyond it, I feel nothing but excitement.
With that in mind, I will continue exploring and refining ideas for the first product, moving forward step by step.
I will share updates as things progress.
To everyone at Karagen,
thank you very much for your support.
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