Nobuo Matsubara

• 1965
  Born in Edogawa Ward, Tokyo
• 1984
  "Graduated from Design Course, Tokyo Metropolitan KOGEI High School
  Studied nagaita chugata dyeing and indigo stencil dyeing under his father MATSUBARA Toshio"
• 1987
  Selected for Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time and East Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time
• 1988
  Selected for the Textiles Traditional Kōgei Exhibition for the first time
• 1991
  Certified as Full Member of the Japan Kogei Association
• 1993
  Stencil dyeing instructor at Chiba Prefectural Joso Museum (~1996)
• 2009
  Exhibited at San Francisco Arts of Pacific Asia Show
• 2012
  Evaluator at the East Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition (serves as evaluator consecutively from this year onward)
• 2017
  Designated as Important Intangible Cultural Property of Chiba for Nagaita Chugata
• 2020
  Director of the Japan Kogei Association
  Evaluator at the Textiles Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Evaluator at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2021
  Received the Medal with Purple Ribbon

I use the nagaita chugata dyeing method which is a traditional dyeing method for summer kimonos that started in the Edo period, and create textiles that are suitable for our modern life. My grandfather, Sadakichi Matsubara, was a living national treasure, and I learned his techniques from my father. My artwork is mainly exhibited at the Japan Tradional Kogei Exhibition, Textiles Traditional Kogei Exhibition, Exhibition of East Japan Traditional Kogei, and the Chiba Prefecture Art Exhibition, but I also hold a number of solo exhibitions and workshops.

Traditional Aizome (Indigo Dyed Textiles) from the Edo Period

"Nagaita Chūgata" is a traditional indigo dyeing method using paper patterns. A middle sized pattern is placed on a long board for dyeing. The cloth is indigo dyed from both the front and back sides. The roots of this method is said to be the dyeing techniques for summer kimonos in the Edo Period. His grandfather was designated as Living National Treasure for "Nagaita Chūgata", and following his footsteps, Nobuo himself started his career in textiles. As a third generation artisan, he creates textiles that are suitable for our modern life. His work, with a beautiful contrast of indigo and white, has been awarded several times at the top class craft exhibitions in Japan. He has also received the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2021 for his contribution in the art field.

• 1999
  Received the Education Bureau of Chiba Prefecture Award at the Chiba Art Exhibition
• 2000
  Received the Incentive Award at the 40th East Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2005
  Received the Chugoku Shimbun New Artist Incentive Award at the 39th Textiles Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Received the Chiba Prefectural Cultural Promotion Foundation Chairman's Award at the Chiba Art Exhibition
• 2006
  Received the Sanyo Shimbun New Artist Incentive Award at the 40th Textiles Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2007
  Received the Tokyo Metropolitan Board of Education Award at the 41st Textiles Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2008
  Received the Prefecture Exhibition Award at the Chiba Art Exhibition
• 2009
  Received the New Artist Award at the 56th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2014
  Received the Prince Takamatsu Memorial Award at the 61st Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2015
  Received the Nikkei Inc. Award at the 49th Textiles Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2016
  Received the Mayor of Kimitsu Award
• 2018
  Received the Excellence Award at the 38th Pola Award for Traditional Japanese Culture
• 2020
  Received the Japan Kogei Association Important Intangible Cultural Asset Holder Award at the 67th Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
• 2023
  Received the MOA Museum of Art Award at the 57th Textiles Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  Kimitsu Citizens' Honor Award

• Agency for Cultural Affairs
• The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (Kansas City, Missouri, USA)
• Kimitsu City

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