Nakahato Tomoko, 41
Craftsperson
Could you describe your work?
I have two jobs. Doing craftwork such as dyeing, weaving and tapestry at my studio is one. I work with traditional clothes of various countries.
Where did you learn?
At a specialty school for two years. That was ten years ago. I just started my own store last year. Before that I did office work, worked at a clothing store and taught at schools. I still teach because I can’t really make a living at this job. I like travel and originally went to Laos for sightseeing. Before going I became interested in textiles. I thought I’d study crafts in Laos, like working with cloth. That was when I was a university student. I went with a team, about ten Japanese, to study textile. They were looking for someone to take photos and learn about traditional Laos crafts. So I went for a week to do it. It wasn’t exactly related to the things I’m making now but it opened my mind to new possibilities. After that I went to Okinawa, then Vietnam, and to China. I’d like to go to India to learn, but, there’s still a lot to learn here in Japan.
How much do you make?
I can’t live on the studio income. It’s only ¥30,000 or ¥40,000 a month, if that. I only open the store on weekends. During the week I work with a handicapped child at a public school.
What are the good and bad points to being a craftsperson?
No bad points really. There’s so much I want to do, so many things I want to make. I want to do more tapestry, for example, and bring it to stores to sell. Weaving relaxes me. I might feel bothered about something before sitting down, but feel calm after.
What’s your dream?
I’d like to work together with other craftspersons. More important than selling would be meeting with others and networking. I’d also like to use photos and pictures to communicate peace. Making things for human happiness and wellbeing. Explanations about peace tend to be boring. It’s better to teach peace with movies and pictures--teaching, for example, that weapons are not necessary. I would like to educate people about the horrors of war. I have a friend who makes such documentaries. I’d like to support him.
the end
This interview was originally published in Kansai Time Out magazine.