Amin Abbas
IKASU offers a unique approach to savoring antiques, transforming them into captivating art works.
Drawing inspiration from traditional patterns symbolism, using antique kimono textiles, Kiritansu chest-of-drawers wood, washi paper as materials, IKASU breathes new life into preloved kimonos, repurposing them into pieces of art. Delving into closets that have housed kimonos for decades and centuries, IKASU meticulously curate art sets and collages, blending colors, patterns, and symbolism behind them.
Antique kimono is originally a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, crafted with bygone or close to bygone techniques – hand-weaving, hand-painting, gold thread embroidery, etc.
IKASU mission is to infuse symbolism of Japanese traditions into everyday life, sharing the wisdom they hold. Accompanied by narratives detailing techniques, motif symbolism, and color significance, each work is a testament to preserving cultural heritage. Originally designed for meditation rooms and retreat/yoga centers, they resonate with individuals who appreciate meaningful art, authentic antiques, and wisdom of Japanese traditions. IKASU is proud to be the leading creator of kimono canvases and its’ promoter around the world.
IKASU works quickly gained attention inside Japan, where she gets orders from kimono owners with requests to transform kimono they don’t use into memorable and meaningful art pieces. She also collaborates with businesses, organizations, hotels and restaurants, who use her works mostly to welcome and entertain foreign visitors who resonate with Japanese culture and philosophy. Her works give meaningful antique touch to spaces in Sweden, Canada, US, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.
Exclusively to Arab News Japan, the founder of IKASU, Lena Okamoto shared her inspiration for kimono upcycled art:” I saw dozens of kimonos in my mother-in-law’s closet (my husband is Japanese) where all of them were too beautiful to be kept in closet for decades without using. So, I did research and found that almost every family in Japan has these treasures sleeping in their households as they switch to European clothes. Data says over 800 million of items – majority of them art pieces with hand painting and embroidery – are being unused!”.
“I felt bad about it and decided to bring them back to art and show them to the world,” she added.
Lena Okamoto is a talented artist who is making a name for herself in the world of modern art. She showed an early interest in art and began drawing and painting at a young age. She moved to Japan after art high school, getting bachelors at Oriental studies. After working as creative director in major advertising company in Tokyo, she turned her attention to spreading Japanese art traditions around the world.
About the establishment of her career in kimono upcycled art, Okamoto said:” I started over 3 years ago. My concept is “recreating kimono” where I give second wind to the pieces that can’t be used as clothes anymore. We also use antique Kiritansu (chest-of-drawers) wood for our custom frames, so it’s ultimately sustainable art”.
“My first project was an exhibition at international art gallery QUADRO in Tokyo – I made an exhibition with art works with a phoenix motif – a symbol of peace in Japanese culture,” she added.
Okamoto works quickly gained attention inside Japan, where she gets orders from kimono owners with requests to transform kimono they don’t use into memorable and meaningful art pieces. She also collaborates with businesses, organizations, hotels and restaurants, who use her works mostly to welcome and entertain foreign visitors who resonate with Japanese culture and philosophy. Her works give meaningful antique touch to spaces in Sweden, Canada, US, Singapore, Malaysia and Japan.
About the challenges that she faced during his career, Okamoto said:” The biggest challenge is to find the right materials that will match by colors, motifs, and by meaning of patterns. I’m also limited in sizes because the width of kimono fabric is a bit wider than 30cm. So, to make large art works for orders I need to play with it making collages and art sets”.
About the most inspirational thing from Japanese culture that she has adapted into her daily life, Okamoto said:” I draw inspiration from Japanese traditional patterns, every Japanese pattern and motif, particularly on their traditional clothes, is not random but has meaning. For example, cranes stand for “love” as they mate for life, pines stand for ‘longevity’ as they stay green in severe cold”.
“I believe these patterns can bring us more positive vibes and confidence if we learn to use them in our daily life, for example enjoying them in interiors,” she said.
Okamoto was one of the Japanese artists who were invited to World Art Dubai 2024 event, she was very pleased to meet with many people at the event who were kind and friendly. she said:” This was my first visit to the UAE. I was fascinated with its culture and traditions. I even thought of making a collaboration art piece with Japanese and Middle East textiles, or with local calligraphy art. I hope I will have this project one day”.
IKASU is planning to have a selling exhibition in the end of June at a gallery in Daikanyama t-site, a veritable cultural institution dedicated to celebrating books, music, and art, with beautiful architecture.
About her recommendations for those who wants to learn about Japanese kimono upcycled art, Okamoto said:” I would recommend to visit our website – we have a whole page about kimono culture there. I would also recommend to subscribe to our Instagram account – I write articles about Japanese traditional patterns, colors and their meanings there”.