Shinonome – "Clouds at sunrise"

Fabric-picture by Midori Suzuki, one of the greatest masters of the ancient traditional art of kumihimo braid-making, inspired by the colours of the Krakow sky at sunrise. Material and technique: naturally dyed silk threads; different types of braiding patterns such as the six-strand rokuren braid "Itsukushima kumi / gumi" (from the name of the place where the original braid was kept), based on the of fuku-go henkei ni-ken gumi technique. Dimensions: L. 79 cm; W. 24.5 cm. Japan, Shimowada, Yamato, Kanagawa prefecture; 2012-2014. The braided picture entitled Shinonome – "Clouds at sunrise" was made by Midori Suzuki specifically for the Ethnographic Museum in Krakow in gratitude for the hospitality and pleasant memories. The gift was donated to the Museum in 2014 along with calligraphy describing the types of braiding patterns and the natural dyes used. The artist spent over a year making it using the traditional loom for making braids and cords for kimonos and samurai swords. She dyed the silk thread herself: she obtained shades of benibokashipink and red from natural dyes from safflowers (Carthamus tinctorius L.) which was the source of yellow and red, and the blue from indigos and purple-violet from madders.