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Cloth & Culture NOW
the artists - Masae Bamba, Japan
I work using dyeing methods based on the “shiborizome” tie
dyeing technique. In common with many other traditional crafts,
this technique has developed in a characteristically Japanese way
although dyeing techniques and designs owe a lot to the influences
from abroad. Dyeing and weaving products of the Momoyama era are
particularly wonderful; these methods of weaving and dyeing developed
in response to the climate and scenery of Japan and became what
we know as the ”kimono”. I can remember as a
student of weaving and dyeing when I came across a silk “kosode” garment
in the “tsujigahana” style (lit: flowers at a crossroads)
for the first time; to this day I cannot forget how it moved me.
It was this that sparked my interest in “shiborizome”,
the impression that I got from the tsujigahana design
is still a source of inspiration in my creative work.
Although I remember the feeling that I
got from these traditional works, from the start I wanted to
create totally new and different works and so my ideas are very
different from the traditional styles With the “solid shiborizome series” my intention
was to create something which did not fit any previous category
of dyeing. However, I was quite surprised to find the work entitled “One/Many” was
likened to the traditional craft method called “kanoko” (dappled)
dyeing in a review (Tanko Magazine, “Dyeing”), But,
on reflection I must have had an image of kanoko dyeing
deep in my memory and was unconsciously influenced by this. As
I work on my ideas, I make a lot of drawings; as the number of
pages increases, little by little something that is hidden in the
back of my mind slowly begins to take shape into something visible.
Whatever it is that is hidden is something I have seen or felt
through my own experiences. I may have forgotten when or where
I saw or felt it, but all of a sudden unawares it appears as a
part of my work.
This shows that there are things that
I am consciously influenced by and also things that influence
me unconsciously without my realizing, forming the roots of my
work: being born in Japan, and never having lived in any other
countries, I cannot help but be influenced by Japanese culture
without even being aware of it. Japanese culture in the past
and today has, of course, been influenced by other cultures,
and my works too are a result of absorbing this. And so I cannot
say that I am not influenced by other cultures. I have been influenced
to an extent and in this way I am no different from any other
ordinary Japanese people with regard to culture. But apart from
this, I don’t think that I have been particularly
influenced by any cultures apart from Japanese.
I sometimes have the impression that there
are many Japanese people who do not feel proud to be Japanese,
or proud to have been born and brought up here, people who think
that anything from abroad is “cool”, yet know little about their own culture.
I am not in any way a nationalist but I question this trend. Every
culture deserves respect, and it is meaningless to compare cultures
to decide which is “better”. I feel positive about
being Japanese; there are many things about Japanese culture that
I don’t know about and I’d like to study them further
as I work. My desire is to create works that not only look Japanese
but are also Japanese-style on a spiritual level.
Finally, I have never really considered the question of whether
or not it is a good thing for my works to be influenced by outside
cultures, it so it is a difficult to answer. But if it benefits
the final product, then I think it can only be seen to be beneficial.
I believe if we are secure in ourselves, the knowledge of other
cultures can lead to a confirmation of our own identity. It is
easy to say that we should know ourselves but in fact this is a
difficult thing to do. If you have a point of comparison and clear
differences, this enables you to gain a deeper understanding of
the culture that you are in.
Thinking about the answers to some of
these questions, has given me an opportunity to consider my own
stance regarding things I don’t normally contemplate.
JAPAN
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