Meeting the Master - Japanese Woodblock Print Dying on Fabric with Master Tetsuo Koyama

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Monday, September 25th, 2017
10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

This exciting workshop provides a unique opportunity to learn about authentic Japanese woodblock print fabric dyeing through face to face dialogue with Master Tetsuo Koyama, visiting from Japan. You will also create your own textile piece. Please do not miss this extremely rare four-day intensive workshop.

Woodblock Printing is one of the ancient fabric arts that began in the eighth century. Printing iconic patterns on solid colour fabrics was widely employed to decorate outer garments for dignitaries. Around the 18th century the technique died out when stencil dying, through mass production became more common than the unique and expensive woodblock dying method.

Tetsuo revived the technique with his kimonos that have been highly recognized as one of the most important features of cultural heritage of Japan. Tetuo follows in the tradition, and was trained by his father, on whom was bestowed the title: "Holder of important intangible Cultural Property in Japanese Dyeing Art".

Tetsuo is also an important art educator, who has taught countless fabric artists in academic settings and has encouraged them to be original, rather than remain limited to traditional methods and aesthetics. This is Tetsuo's second visit to Vancouver Island. Tetsuo encourages the students to make their own designs by exploring their frames of mind, imagery and themes; he says that each person will naturally discover their own expression using just a small number of woodblocks. He also brings samples for some students who might prefer to work from the designs by Tetsuo. In that case the students will still have a lot of opportunity to be original - they will choose colours to dye and print with woodblocks in their own way.

Anyone who likes creating woodblock print dyeing is welcome. Instructors will assist participants who need specific help in the process of creating their final pieces. Prior to the four-day workshop, registered participants will be provided one orientation session by Master Tetsuo Koyama and  Yuko Yamamoto, fabric artist and Tetsuo’s teaching assistant, who lives on Vancouver Island.

Yuko is a Japanese multidisciplinary artist who has lived in the Cowichan Valley for 5 years. She studied dyeing art under Master Tetsuo Koyama in Tokyo. She is a graduate of the School of Art Institute of Chicago, and obtained her Masters in 2000 and presented her work in Japan, Canada, US, Singapore and Finland. Yuko tries to integrate the highly traditional Japanese fabric dyeing art into her contemporary works. for workshop registrants:

Orientation session: Sept 9, Saturday 1 - 3:30 pm at the Coast Collective Art Centre If registrants are unable to attend the orientation session, Yuko will be happy make contact by phone or email to discuss the class. Yuko will guide students in preparing their own designs to bring to the first day of the workshop. As well, Yuko will be doing a demonstration of these techniques at the Coast Collective Art Centre on June 30, 2017 starting at 1 pm, during the reception for the Eco Threads Show at the Coast Collective, This will be an opportunity to view the techniques and chat about the September workshop.

Content of the four-day workshop: This workshop introduces various traditional tools and materials, such as rice glue resist, Nori-zutsu (a utensil to draw with the rice glue resist) and shinshi (resilient bamboo bars to stretch a sheet of fabric). Students will decorate a 15” x 23” piece of fine cotton fabric using these traditional tools. The contents of the four-day workshop are as follows:

Day 1: After the final discussion of each design, trace the design onto a fabric using a brush and spiderwort extract. Trace the patterns onto yellow cedar and then carve woodblocks.

Day 2: Mix colours of the pigment and print patterns with woodblocks.

Day 3: Mask the patterns with rice glue.

Day 4: Apply base coat and background dye. Steam the fabric to set the dye; wash the glue off. The workshop price includes significant materials, fabrics, dyes, wood and rental tool use Supplies to be brought by students: small hammer to chisel; small carving tools - can be purchased at Lee Valley next door to Coast Collective (see the thumbnail images below main for photo of recommended tools.) Bring your own tools if similar.

If you have any questions before registering, please email Yuko Yamamoto at [email protected] or [email protected]

Learn more: The film about the workshop in 2014 “ the Master’s Hands”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5gL28L2Lbc

About Master Tetsuo and Yasuie Koyama : http://sewyuzen.com/woodblock-dyeing-masters-tetsuo-yasuie-koyama/

Process of Master Koyama’s woodblock print dyeing: http://sewyuzen.com/tetsuo-koyamas-woodblock-print-dyeing-technique/

Meeting the Master - Japanese Woodblock Print Dyeing Workshop 4 days Meeting the Master - Japanese Woodblock Print Dyeing Workshop 4 days Meeting the Master - Japanese Woodblock Print Dyeing Workshop 4 days