Fukumi Shimura Explained

Fukumi Shimura
Native Name:Shimura Fukumi
Native Name Lang:志村 ふくみ
Birth Place:Omihachiman, Japan
Nationality:Japanese
Movement:Mingei

is a Japanese textile artist who has created kimono since 1958. Shimura was awarded multiple honours including the Living National Treasure in 1990 and the 2014 Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy.

Early life and education

Shimura was born in 1924 in Omihachiman, Japan. She completed her education at Bunka Gakuin in 1942.

Career

In 1955, Shimura began working in textile art. After meeting the Japanese artist Tatsuaki Kuroda, Shimura participated in an art event held by the Japan Kōgei Association in 1957. During her career, Shimura studied under artists Toshijiro Inagaki and Tomimoto Kenkichi. She has created numerous kimono since her first work in 1958 entitled "Autumn Mist".

In 2015, Shimura's art was shown at the Museum of Modern Art, Shiga.[1] In 2016, Shimura had exhibitions at the National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto[2] and the Okinawa Prefectural Museum.[3]

Apart from her creations in textile art, Shimura created spaces for textile art learning with her daughter. In 1989, Shimura and her daughter opened up a work space for textile art and a religious spot for weaving in 2013. Shimura also wrote books that were awarded the Nihon Essayist Club Prize and the Osaragi Jirō Prize.[4]

Awards and honors

Shimura was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 1986, named a Living National Treasure in 1990 and given the Person of Cultural Merit honor in 1993.[5] Other honors Shimura was bestowed with include the 2014 Kyoto Prize in Arts and Philosophy and the Order of Culture the following year.[6]

Personal life

Shimura is the mother of Yoko Shimura, who is also a textile artist.[7]

Notes and References

  1. News: Daisuke. Kikuchi. ‘Shimura Fukumi: Nature and Inheritance to Next Generation’ . 11 February 2018. Japan Times. 11 August 2015.
  2. Web site: Shimura Fukumi. National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto. 11 February 2018.
  3. News: Shioda. Miki. Fukumi Shimura's naturally dyed kimonos on exhibit. 11 February 2018. Japan Update. 19 May 2016. 4 July 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220704212424/http://www.japanupdate.com/2016/05/fukumi-shimuras-naturally-dyed-kimonos-on-exhibit/. dead.
  4. Web site: Past Exhibition . Shiseido Gallery. 14 February 2018.
  5. Web site: Fukumi Shimura . Kyoto Prize. 11 February 2018.
  6. News: Yoneda. Melynie. 'Shimura Fukumi'. 11 February 2018. Japan Times. 2 February 2016.
  7. News: Larking. Matthew. The dyeing art of Japan's traditional everyday kimono. 11 February 2018. Japan Times. 1 March 2016.