Taking a leap of faith,
I embarked on a journey to chase my dream.
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As a child, I loved all things creative. I spent most of my free time drawing, making my own cutout paper dolls and costumes, and dreamt of becoming a fashion designer. But as I grew up, priorities changed; and many years later I ended up getting enrolled into a PhD program in engineering. To cope with my stress and anxiety at work, I started learning different kinds of craft as a way to improve my mental well-being, and my passion for art and craft was soon rekindled.
The pivotal moment came when I came across a blog post about Geisha hair accessories. I was instantly mesmerised and wanted to learn how they are made. I gradually taught myself the traditional Japanese craft of Tsumami-Zaiku through the limited resources I found online, and I polished my skills with countless nights of practice. Then, on my 29th birthday, I decided to leave everything behind and set my goal to become a true artisan.
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Since the start of my artisan journey in 2016, I have participated in various live demonstration events and run a number of workshops in Sheffield. I was also featured in newspaper and online articles. In 2020, I was invited by an artisan from Japan to share my experience as part of an online event about Tsumami-Zaiku, organised by The Japan Foundation London. I was so honoured and grateful to be able to share my passion with a global audience.
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I believe in the value of handcraft.
The connections it creates between artisans and their patrons are irreplaceable.
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Being the designer-maker of Takara, I meticulously design and handcraft each and every piece from start to finish. My work starts with preparing the vital materials for Tsumami-Zaiku: cutting the fabric into numerous small pieces and making the rice glue. When everything is ready, I then carefully craft each petal and leaf with patience and precision, and assemble them into vibrant flowers. After delicately adorning the flowers with various embellishments, I finish by binding and mounting them, turning them into beautiful, original, and distinctive pieces. Every step of the process is done by hand with simple tools such as tweezers and pliers. I believe that handcrafting can create the most intricate and beautiful details, and that it can develop meaningful connections between artisans and their patrons.
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Inspired by nature, flowers are my favourite things to make. From tiny daisies and asters, to oversize peonies and dahlias, every flower I craft is the fruit of my passion and love. I also like making birds, butterflies, and seashells, which make frequent appearances in my pieces. Lively, feminine, and delightful, my pieces will surely add splendour and glamour to your special occasions.
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For the past few years, I have been creating for patrons around the world. I am forever grateful for all of the opportunities and trust, and I am overjoyed that my work can be a part of so many joyful memories.
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Every piece that I made is a marriage of my skills, ethos, and passion.
It would be my honour to be part of your wonderful memories.