Kyo-yuzen/Dyed Textiles: Akihiro Uenaka (Huduru Kogei)
Dating back to the Momoyama (1568-1600) and Edo (1603-1867) periods, kinsai craft is a technique used for applying gold leaf on obis and kimonos. Its beauty lies in how the gold leaf designs look different depending on the light and angle from which it is seen, despite being a flat surface. By making use of gold leaf's unique traits and the mysterious way it works, I endeavour to create pieces that are simple, yet also have a mystical side.
I also develop new products with these techniques; for example, interior pieces, bags, and wallets born of collaborations with craftspeople and artists from other industries.
Profile
1969 Born in Kyoto
1988 Graduated from Heian Senior High School (now Ryukoku
University Heian Senior High School)
Studied under kinsai artisan Kotaro Motohashi for seven years
1995 Joined my family business Huduru Kogei, which works with gold
leaf for kimono fabrics
1998 Received a prize for an obi at the Kyoto Prefecture Traditional Craft
Techniques Competition
Received a prize for a table runner at the New Kyomono
Competition
1999 Received a prize for an obi at the Kyoto Prefecture Traditional Craft
Techniques Competition
2003 Had a kimono selected for Kyoten Exhibition
2004 Had a kimono selected for Kyoten Exhibition
2006 Had a shoulder bag selected as a Kyoto Design Masterpiece
2008 Became a Certified Kyoto Traditional Products Craftsman (Kyo-
yuzen)
2015 Had an obi selected for Japan's Traditional Craft Competition
2016 Received the Judge's Encouragement Award at Kyoto Prefecture
Craft Competition for a bamboo sake set (collaboration with
Yasuhisa Shibata)
2018 Had a leather wallet selected for Japan's Traditional Craft
Competition
2019 Had a wallet selected for the 5th Geibunkyo Exhibition
2022 Received the National Federation of Chamber of Commerce and
Industry President's Award for "Drawstring Shoulder Bag with
Blue Shell Foil" at the National Traditional Crafts Public Contest.
Received the OMOTENASHI SELECTION 2022 award for "Gilded
Glass Dish, Red Fuji".