Masayo's Stories

HINAMATSURI - CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL On the 3rd of March in Japan, we celebrate and pray for young girls' growth and happiness. (boy's day is 5th May) There are sets of dolls of emperor and empress, three court ladies, musicians and ministers to celebrate the festivals.  When I was little, my parents used to set up and display the 9 levels of red shelves with those dolls. It takes almost a half day to set it up for about 1 week.  When my children were younger we were going to bring those Japanese traditional dolls into Australia and celebrate the day and...

I still remember my grandfather's tattoos. When I was a little girl, I saw the tattoos on his back when he was having a bath. It was the first time and the last time in my memory of my grandfather's tattoo. I was so shocked. But they were mesmerizingly beautiful. I didn't know the real meaning of the tattoos at that time but I knew it was something I was not supposed to see nor ask him about even when I was a little girl. My grandfather was a very gentle man and was always very soft to me and...

IREZUMI-Tattoo means eternal beauty and strength in Japan. But it also means taboo, the underworld and secrets trust in the dark. When folds and drapes create shades and angles it shows another dimension and story. I love the way BLACK hides some emotions and strengthens others. I love Tamara in our WATA Dress and the contrast of the graceful silhouette against her ink skin. Black reminds me of Tattoos, where ying and yang play effortlessly in their eternal dance. What articles of clothing or beauty possess contrasting meanings to you?

Sometimes my grandma used to take my sister and I to a public bath near our home when we were kids. It used to cost us 30 cents each. We loved to go to the public bath with my grandma. In Japan it is quite common to go to a hot spring (Onsen or Sentou) in public. It has a great culture and atmosphere. Everyone washes themselves at small showers, before going into the large communal baths. Just before dark we would take our own towel and pajamas and go to a public bath near our home. My sister and...

I have been seeking pieces of Japan recently. But instead of bringing a whole Japanese flavour, I have been thinking of some elements of Japan to reintroduce to Australian culture in a different way. These vintage Kanzashi - Hair Pins... Some are over 100 years old. They are beautiful and intricate pieces and are traditionally used of course for women's hair in Japan... But is it of course? What if we can use them in a different way? I have been thinking and thinking for a quite while ... But I still haven't got an answer... What can you see...

This gathered tulle skirt I created is slightly more feminine with carefully constructed layers to add drama. Historically tulle posses connections of purity, femininity & discipline. Wearing a tulle skirt with a tough boot or our structured Giza Giza top [translates to zig zag] juxtaposes it’s original values whilst embracing power and individuality without sacrifice of femininity. What do you wear and or contrast your tulle skirts with?

Each little shibori shapes on this neck piece are made by hand. It takes a long time to tie the fabric individually with thread. There are many different sizes and shapes of shibori. It didn’t look so special when I was a child because we see this everywhere. It is used in futon blankets, or Japanese cushions and many things in our life. It does look special now, especially when I first saw this piece. It may look like a sea urchin, or coral.. We call this technique Bai Shibori. Bai is a type of shellfish and this shibori is...

There are so many beautiful things in Japan. Some are new and some are old. Although, those old things are often left unused, as if they have been asleep for a long time. In the last few years, I have been revisiting Japan and the culture. Many of those beautiful things are not as recognized or used in Japan. I have been thinking how we can repurpose them here in Australia. Not many Australian women may wear Kimono as is. But what if the objects are deconstructed and reworked as contemporary pieces? Do you agree with the deconstruction of those...

I sometimes miss the way we used to listen to music when we were young. When I was a student all my money was spent on hiring albums or cassette tapes. Pretty much every weekend I would hire albums and cassette tapes and buy many blank tapes. I had to tell my sister not to come into my room while I was recording albums.. Normally there was outside noises included.... I don't know how you used to record music to cassette tapes? I had to be quiet, in fact everything and everyone in the surrounding area needs to be quiet....

I have kept these beautiful Japanese retro fabrics for many years and they have been one of my favourite collections. I’ve always wanted to make an apron for my team members and never really had a chance to do it. For the end of year gifts, I decided to make aprons for them. They have many pockets to keep pencils, measuring tape, snip scissors, and a few other things... the perfect utility apron. In our busy everyday work, it's easy to lose those things all the time and our clothes were often damaged by rubbing on the edge of our...

A forest nymph, entwined in layers of dusty smoke and fire emerges from the shadows, drifting into town - but she forgot her shoes. An ethereal fable in the afternoon hours of sun down.

Hand stitching on a Kimono  I remember my grandma used to make kimonos for my sister and I. They were all made by hand. She sits on tatami floor with a small shoulder bend and slowly slowly stitches the kimono materials together. It looks like she was treating the kimono very carefully much like holding a child.Each stitch was so perfectly sewn and I clearly remember the routine of her hand stitches. It took forever. Those kimonos were made for special occasions. All kimonos that my grandma made have been kept in a Japanese wardrobe in my home for many many...