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Triptych
Maiko Kaerimichi
Yukoi

Konyaku - Wedding Proposal

Original Size 60 X 40

It is my honor to introduce myself to you.  My name is Reiko Nakagawa and I am originally from Hiroshima, Japan. The name of my art is called Oshie (oh-shee-ay) which is a fabric collage that dates back to 16th century Japan. Oshie first appeared in Samurai Villages during that time and represented daily life in these villages. It later became a form of art that was placed on "paddleboards" called Hagoita that represented a form of sport with a ball and these paddleboards. The artwork was placed on these paddleboards years later and placed in Japanese homes in the foyer area during the New Year to bring joy and good luck.

Because of the rich fabrics used, my style which combines the tradition with a contemporary flavor, has become very interesting to the American eye. I use new Japanese kimono fabrics combined with obi fabric (the sash that goes around the kimono) along with washi (rice) paper. The selections with the Geisha, Kabuki (lion dancers) and the Samurai have faces made of silk. I then hand-starch the silk before painting the faces so the ink will not bleed onto the fabric. This gives the faces a crisp look. The hairs are made of silk fabric that must first be combed out strand by strand, cut and then folded behind the head.

Once the faces are finished, the formed and trimmed kimono fabrics are collaged to form the poses and stances of each figurine. Cotton is used to bring out dimensions in strategic areas to give a realistic look to the figurines. The folding technique and fabric selection must be done to perfection to produce the realism and emotion presented.

After the figurines are completed, they are then mounted on a background that I designed to go along with the characters. The background uses a combination of washi paper and a hand-dyed fabric that create a background scene.