Noriko Tsuiki’s works and exhibitions.
Awarded the Excellence Award of Commissioner for Cultural Affairs(2008), the Asahi Shimbun (Newspaper) Grand Prize(2010) and various awards. Since 2007, created designs for machine-woven Kokura stripes, the SHIMA-SHIMA brand. The collection was introduced overseas by Japan Brand project.
Kokura stripes were produced in Buzen Kokura, which is now named Kitakyushu city. The thick, sturdy and smooth cotton fabrics had been used for "hakama" (wide skirt-like pants worn by samurai) and "obi" (a sash worn with kimono). The warp (vertical threads), that are three times the density of the weft (horizontal threads), create the vertical stripes. A 3-dimensional effect is achieved by weaving various shades of a color within a stripe. The texture of this unique fabric is similar to that of leather. Kokura stripes were manufactured for 350 years, until the early Showa Period (1926 ~ 1989) when production ceased. Noriko Tsuiki had succeeded in reviving Kokura stripes in 1984, and they are now recognized to be the modern interpretation of a traditional craft.
Under Noriko Tsuiki's art direction, the beautiful and durable Kokura stripes were developed for factory weaving, and was launched as the SHIMA-SHIMA collection. The fabric maintains its traditional integrity, and its new 140 cm width allows for a range of applications, from fashion to interiors. As the new generation of the traditional Kokura fabrics, SHIMA-SHIMA is used not only by Japanese creators, but by creators from around the world.
The versatility of SHIMA-SHIMA fabrics has inspired many new projects. Not only have the fabrics been used for various interior-related products, but they have also been used for products that incorporate the fabrics in its design. Two young Italian architects, Giada Tsuchihashi and Lorenzo Lanzani of GxL, have created a collection of lighting products by combining the SHIMA-SHIMA fabrics with Mino washi paper and a wooden element. A SHIMA-SHIMA collection has been created by Mosaico Digitale (Italia), that manufactures innovative mosaic tiles that are printed on a substrate then covered with resin.
The high density of the warp (vertical threads) is unique to Kokura fabrics, the warp threads form the actual stripes. This characteristic allows me to create an endless variety of beautiful stripe designs. Creating fabrics, as well as other products with these stripes is a fascinating aspect of my work, which holds endless possibilities. Conditions such as time, place and the dimensions of the stripes will invariably affect the way a stripe appears. My work will continue forever. As stated by author Shuzo Kuki, in The Structure of Iki, "parallel lines continuing on eternally, never crossing".
