Exploring New Possibilities for Igusa
Bringing a Traditional Material into Art and Everyday Life
Kakegawa-ori is a traditional weaving technique that has been passed down for generations in the Chikugo region of Fukuoka Prefecture.It is constructed using a simple structure in which large weave units of approximately 3 cm and smaller units of about 1 cm alternate repeatedly.Through variations in the igusa (rush grass) woven into the weft, this structure produces distinctive and expressive patterns.
In this work, I found a visual similarity between the structural units of Kakegawa-ori and the square form of digital pixels, and created an igusa textile that resembles a pictorial image through pixel-based expression.
Through the beautiful color-mixing effects unique to igusa weaving, one of the world’s most famous paintings, Mona Lisa, gradually emerges.
To communicate the appeal of igusa weaving to a wider audience, I chose a universally recognized masterpiece as the motif.
The work measures approximately 87 cm × 176 cm, equivalent to one Edo-size tatami mat.
Tatami mats and igusa are indispensable elements of traditional Japanese living.
As breathable natural materials, they are well suited to Japan’s humid climate.
However, due to changes in lifestyle in recent years, the use of tatami has declined, and the number of domestic igusa farmers has decreased to nearly one-twentieth of its peak. To carry Japan’s igusa industry into the future, it is essential to propose new forms of expression that extend beyond conventional tatami use.
With this in mind, I explored a new approach to igusa through the technique of Kakegawa-ori.
In addition, I have developed a pattern composed solely of pixel motifs titled “ICHIMATSU.”
“ICHIMATSU” is applied to interior items such as placemats and coasters, making it easier to incorporate igusa into everyday life.
By translating igusa into various forms and exploring new applications, this project expands the potential of igusa both as an interior material and as an artistic medium.
Production Support: IKEHIKO Corporation
Photography: Naosuke Yokota
Model: Gernhaeuser Magdalena
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