Ranseian kurumekasuri　tanushimaru-kurume-shi TamakiMatsueda　Tetsuya Matsueda　Sayoko Matsueda　Takahiro Matsueda　Important intangible cultural property

History
これまでのあゆみ

Inherited poetic sentiments

Koji Matsueda founded a weaving studio in 1882, handed down to Sakae, Tamaki, Eiichi, and the fifth generation of the Matsuedas, Tetsuya. The third-generation Tamaki was a technical expert attracted by waka poetry (traditional Japanese poetry). He made Kurume Kasuri not only a pattern but also available to depict the emotion of waka . This poetic sentiment has been passed on to Tetsuya and is the distinctive characteristic of Matsueda Kasuri.

Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) Matsueda Tamaki Matsueda Tetsuya

Ranseian & Natural Indigo
藍生庵と藍

Seeking pure water at Minou Mountain Range

Tetsuya Matsueda and his spouse, Sayoko, set up their atelier Ranseian at Takeno Tanoshimaru, in Kurume, at the northern foot of the Minou mountain range. They seek pure water to take advantage of the beauty of natural indigo (ai). Scenery from their studio, full of abundant nature, like plants, wind, water, and stars, inspired their works greatly.

Dealing with indigo (ai)

From its founding, making insoluble indigo paste into dyeing liquid, aidate is a process to make genuine natural indigo produced in Tokushima dyeable by fermentation of indigo bacteria without any chemical dye or chemicals. Facing the process aidate daily it reflects the color of beauty. The third-generation Tamaki's pen name is "Ran Sei" (living with ai). His passion lives within it.

Works & Activities
作品・活動など

Succession of technique and creation of new design

The technique of Kurume Kasuri was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property by the national government. To succeed in it, the Matsuedas have been challenging the new style of Kurume Kasuri.

Tetsuya Matsueda (1955-2020): Techniques holder (tying, dyeing, weaving) of Kurume Kasuri designated Important Intangible Cultural Property
Regular member of the Japan Kogei Association
Sayoko Matsueda (1956-): Techniques holder (tying, weaving) of Kurume Kasuri
designated Important Intangible Cultural Property
Regular member of the Japan Kogei Association
Takahiro Matsueda (1995-): Regular member of the Japan Kogei Association

Live locally, transmit the traditional culture

Since 1998, the Matsuedas have been working with the third graders of Takeno Elementary School indigo dyeing. Moreover, since 2008, the sixth graders have worked on the graduation artwork of the entire process of design, drawing, tying threads, dying, and weaving. Each one makes only one of their own Kasuri. The Matsuedas keep working with the younger generation so that the next generation can be proud and feel close to the regional traditional culture, indigo dyeing, and Kurume Kasuri.