CONCEPT
"Encapsulating Life with the Colors of Life”
Bringing the colors of life into everyday life.
I want to bring the colors of nature into your daily life.
I believe in the essence of color using plants, and I make it my business to
help you bring life-giving colors into your daily life!
ARTIST INTRODUCTION
RIKU MATSUZAKI
Riku Matsuzaki's Philosophy:
"Nature's colors support people." Before medicine was invented, people used clothes dyed with "natural colors" which is the origin of the word “medication."
The roots of "Japanese Indigo" are in Kyoto, where we return to the basics of fermentation with water, wood ash, and homegrown indigo to create genuine, non-bleeding indigo dye.
Our studio, revives the lost "Kyoto Indigo" from the Taisho era and incorporates the colors of natural plants that have supported humanity, both in art and daily use.
-Encapsulating life with the colors of life-
Riku Matsuzaki, “Kyoto Indigo (Kyoai)” Dyer
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ARTIST HISTORY
- In 1990
- Riku Matsuzaki was born in Kyoto, Japan.
- In 2013
- Matsuzaki discovered Japanese indigo dyeing in New York.
- In 2014
- Matsuzaki expressed interest in becoming an apprentice to Yoshio Yoshioka, the fifth-generation master of a traditional Japanese dyeing house.
- In 2015
- Matsuzaki spent two years learning about silk farming, weaving, and traditional Japanese tailoring in Niihama, Ehime Prefecture, with the support of Yoshioka.
- In 2017
- Matsuzaki joined Yoshioka's dyeing house, where he learned dyeing and weaving techniques under the guidance of Yoshioka, Fukuda Denshi, and other skilled craftsmen.
- In 2018
- Matsuzaki participated in the restoration of a Tang Dynasty garment held in the Shosoin Repository, Nara, Japan.
- In 2019
- with Yoshioka's approval, Matsuzaki began preparing for independent activities.
- In 2020
- While working at Yoshioka, Riku Matsuzaki started his own natural dyeing brand called GROMWELL.
- In 2021
- Yoshioka became independent, and Matsuzaki leased a 320 sq/ft field to revive “Japanese indigo dyeing (Kyoai)”, which had died out during the Taisho era. I focused on dyeing products and artworks that returned to the earth.
- In 2022
- Matsuzaki built a “Kyoto indigo dyeing (Kyoai)” factory.
- In 2023
- Matsuzaki changed his brand name from GROMWELL to Riku Matsuzaki, focusing on creating products with the concept of "Encapsulating life with the colors of life."
CONTACT
To inquire about collaboration products with Riku Matsuzaki, a “Kyoto indigo dyeing (Kyoai)”artist, or for any other inquiries, please feel free to contact us by phone or through our inquiry form. We look forward to hearing from you.