1977年、愛知県安城市出身。師事していた茶道と華道の先生が藍染作家だったこともあり、2012年に初めて工房で藍染を学ぶ。環境保全や心身の健康における藍染の関わりに可能性を感じ、2017年に徳島県の本藍染矢野工場にて、藍染師・矢野藍秀、藍遊両氏より、国選定阿波藍製造技術無形文化財・佐藤昭人氏のつくる蒅を使い、江戸時代から伝承され続けてきた「天然灰汁発酵建て」による本藍染の技術を学ぶ。ニューヨークで個展を開いたり、有松絞りの開祖の竹田嘉兵衛商店や、地元・安城市の「丈山苑」にて個展を開くなど、国内外で広く本藍染に触れる機会の創出に取り組む。
Mutsuko Sasaki | Indigo Artisan
Born in Anjo in 1977. Since her tea ceremony and flower arrangement teacher was an indigo dye artist, she first studied indigo dyeing at a studio in 2012. Sensing the potential of indigo dyeing’s connection to environmental conservation and mental and physical health, in 2017 she studied authentic indigo dyeing techniques using the “ancient natural lye fermentation method” that has been handed down since the Edo period, from indigo dyeing masters Aishu and Aiyu Yano at the Honaizome Yano Factory in Tokushima, using the dyeing agent created by Akihito Sato, a nationally designated intangible cultural asset for Awa indigo manufacturing techniques. She has held solo exhibitions in New York, at Takeda Kahei Shoten, the founder of Arimatsu Shibori, and at Jozanen in her hometown, Anjo, and is committed to creating opportunities for people to experience authentic indigo dyeing both in Japan and abroad.
藍染の秘密:藍が“命の色”である理由 | Secrets of Indigo Dyeing: Why Indigo Is the “Color of Life”
藍色は世界中に馴染みのある色ですが、昔ながらの染色法は失われつつあります。佐々木睦子は日本の江戸時代から伝わる唯一無二の染色法と出会い、そこで生み出される色の深さに魅了されます。数少ない継承者として、藍染をつなぐ彼女が語る藍色の世界に浸ってみてください。
Indigo is a familiar color worldwide, but traditional dyeing methods are being lost. Mutsuko Sasaki encountered a unique dyeing technique passed down from Japan’s Edo period and was captivated by the depth of color it produced. As one of the few successors, she continues to carry on the tradition of indigo dyeing. Immerse yourself in the world of indigo as she speaks.
