Nobuo Matsubara (Japanese:松原伸生, Matsubara Nobuo, born June 14 1965)[1] is a Japanese textile artist who specializes in dying kimonos using the Nagaita-Chugata technique of resist dyeing.[2]

Matsubara Nobuo applying nori (resist paste) with an Ise-Katagami to fabric.

Biography

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Matsubara was born in Edogawa, Tokyo, in 1965. He attended Tokyo Metropolitan Technical High School, where he studied in the design department; graduating in 1984. He then began studying with his father, Toshio Matsubara, to learn nagahada nakagata and ai-gata dyeing processes.[3]

His studio is based in Kimitsu (君津市, Kimitsu-shi) located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan and he has worked there since he was 19.[4]

He was named a Living National Treasure in 2023[5][6] for his work in the field of Nagaita-Chugata.

 
Indigo dyed fabric is raised from the dye vat.
 
Matsubara Nobuo submerges fabric into the indigo vat.
 
Indigo dyed fabric is raised from the dye vat.

Style

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The Nagaita-Chugata dyeing technique is typically used in the making of Yukata.[7] Ise katagami, handcut paper stencils from the Mie Prefecture are used to apply resist paste to both sides of the kimono cloth. This technique was common until the last century where a cheaper technique called chusen became popular to dye fabric on both sides. [8] Matubara mainly uses real indigo to dye his kimonos.[9]

Collections

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Matsubara's work is held in the permanent collection of the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art.[10]

Work by Matsubara was purchased by Agency for Cultural Affairs as part of a collection of Cultural Properties of Japan. [11]

Awards and honors

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  • 2014, Matsubara was awarded with the Takamatsu-no-miya Memorial Award at the 61st Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. This is the highest award for an artist in the exhibition.[12]
  • 2015, Matsubara was awarded the Nihon Keizai Shimbun Award at the 49th Japan Traditional Crafts Dyeing Exhibition.[12]
  • 2017, Matsubara was honored and certified as a holder of the Intangible Cultural Property "Nagaita Chugata" of Chiba Prefecture.[12]

References

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  1. ^ "松原 伸生の作品一覧-公益社団法人日本工芸会". www.nihonkogeikai.or.jp. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  2. ^ "江戸時代の技法、バトン渡された 人間国宝認定の染色家・松原伸生さん". 毎日新聞 (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  3. ^ "Matsubara, Bobuo". Motoji. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  4. ^ "Inside the Atelier; Matsubara Nobuo".
  5. ^ "まとえば変わる柄に魅せられ 「長板中形」で県内20年ぶり人間国宝:朝日新聞デジタル". 朝日新聞デジタル (in Japanese). 2023-11-27. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  6. ^ "Breaking News: Matsubara Nobuo certified as a 'Living National Treasur".
  7. ^ "【千葉県教育庁】重要無形文化財の指定について-長板中形の松原伸生氏 - 山下洋輔(ヤマシタヨウスケ". 選挙ドットコム (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  8. ^ "長板中形・松原伸生(まつばらのぶお)".
  9. ^ "《3分で解説》「松原伸生の長板中形展」5つの見どころ(2022年公開)". 銀座もとじオンラインショップ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  10. ^ "Works of: Matsubara Nobuo". Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  11. ^ https://www.bunka.go.jp/seisaku/bunkazai/kokuyuzaisan/bunkazai/93816801.html
  12. ^ a b c d "Breaking News: Matsubara Nobuo certified as a "Living National Treasure"". Motoji. Retrieved 16 May 2024.
  13. ^ https://www.nihonkogeikai.or.jp/works/559/110302/
  14. ^ "まとえば変わる柄に魅せられ 「長板中形」で県内20年ぶり人間国宝:朝日新聞デジタル". 朝日新聞デジタル (in Japanese). 2023-11-27. Retrieved 2024-05-09.