Masakazu Akiyama

Style

AKIYAMA is following in the footsteps of his father AKIYAMA Tokiwa and carrying on the family’s textile techniques, and with no compromise he has put all his passion into the creation of the very best fabrics.
He has been designated as a “Contemporary Master Craftsman” by the Japanese government, received the Medal with Yellow Ribbon, and acknowledged as a holder of important intangible cultural property of Aya Town; his achievements are acknowledged at home and abroad, and he has been invited overseas to such regions as Europe and Africa.

Biography

• 1966
  Established the Ayanote Tsumugi Senshoku Kobo in Aya Town, Miyazaki Prefecture
• 1968
  Selected for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition
• 1972
  Full member, Japan Kogei Association
• 1973
  Gave a demonstration at an audience given by Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun
• 1980
  Gave a demonstration at an audience given by the Crown Prince and Princess
• 1982
  Became the first person to succeed in producing Tyrian purple dye from Japanese sea snails
• 1984
  Designated as the First Traditional Craftsmen by Miyazaki Prefecture
• 1990
  Selected for the 37th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, and his work was purchased by the Agency for Cultural Affairs
• 1991
  Successfully completed weaving silk from Koishimaru silkworms
• 1992
  Specially invited to the “This Person, This Work” Exhibition at the Museum of Kyoto (March)
• 1993
  Performed restoration works on the Aizome Noshime Kimono of the Hachisuka clan, feudal lords of Awa, using Koishimaru silk
• 1994
  Produced the wall tapestry for the Miyazaki Bank Dai-ichi Building (March)
  Opened the Exhibition Gallery “Sora”, by 3 craftsmen (textile, ceramic, and woodwork), at Basement 1 of Phoenix Seagaia Hotel Ocean 45 (October)
• 1995
  Performed restoration work on the Noshime of the Matsudaira clan, Aizu Wakamatsu, using Koishimaru Aizome (March)
  His work was selected for the 42nd Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, and was purchased by the Agency for Cultural Affairs (September)
  Designated as an Outstanding Skilled Worker (Contemporary Master Craftsman) of 1995 (November)
• 1996
  Solo exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi (February). Held annually to date
  Gave a lecture at the International Society for Wild Silkmoths in Dandong, China (May)
  Invited by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress to the autumn garden party held at Akasakagyoen (October)
  Ayanote Tsumugi Senshoku Kobo was visited by Prince and Princess Hitachi (December)
• 1997
  Accepted the offer to be a professor in the Faculty of Arts and Crafts at the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts (April)
• 1998
  Held an Aizome International Exchange and Lecture in Paris, France (November)
  Offered a Tyrian purple Koishimaru silk interior work as a gift to Princess Akishino (April)
• 2000
  Held a solo exhibition at the Maison de la Culture du Japon à Paris, France (May)
  Ayanote Tsumugi Senshoku Kobo was visited by the First Ladies of 17 nations participating in the Pacific Islands Leaders Meeting (June)
• 2001
  Designated as the First National Local Specialty Meister by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (March)
  Gave training in Aizome to French graphic designer Fofana Aboubakar, through the Medici Arts Exchange Foundation (June to December)
• 2002
  Resigned as professor at the Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts (March)
  Received commendation for Distinguished Service in Industry at the 70th Anniversary of Aya Town Ceremony (October)
• 2004
  Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress visited Aya Town wearing the studio’s works. Was honoured with a discussion after viewing Koishimaru silk and Tyrian purple works (April)
  Held a solo exhibition at Ginza Wako, Tokyo (September)
• 2005
  Received the Miyazaki Cultural Award (October)
• 2006
  Received the Medal with Yellow Ribbon at the autumn conferment of decorations
• 2007
  Dispatched to West Africa to provide Aizome training as part of the “Introduction of Japanese Culture” programme by the Japan Foundation (January)
• 2008
  Designated as an Aya Town Intangible Cultural Property in Natural Aizome Techniques (February)
• 2009
  Special Exhibition in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of Their Majesties’ Wedding at the Museum of the Imperial Collections
• 2010
  2nd solo exhibition at Ginza Wako, Tokyo (November)
• 2013
  Akiyama Masakazu Exhibition at the Kumejima Museum (July)
• 　　 Works by Akiyama Masakazu were introduced in the Utsukushii Kimono magazine (November)
• 　　 Tyrian purple dyes shown on NHK BS Premium programme (December)
• 2014
  Candidate to receive commendation for Distinguished Service in the Silk Industry hosted by the Dainippon Silk Foundation (May)

Awards

• 1967
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Gold Award at the 2nd West Japan Arts and Crafts Exhibition
• 1968
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Silver Award at the 3rd West Japan Arts and Crafts Exhibition
• 1970
  Received the Asahi Shimbun Silver Award at the 5th West Japan Arts and Crafts Exhibition
• 1991
  Received the Miyazaki Nichinichi Shimbun Industrial Award in October
• 1996
  Received the Community Cultural Award from the Regional Culture Award Tax Accountant’s Fund in September
• 2005
  Received the Agency for Cultural Affairs Commissioner’s Award at the 39th Japan Traditional Textile Arts Exhibition in May
• 2006
  Received the Japan Kogei Association Western Branch Manager’s Award at the 41st West Japan Arts and Crafts Exhibition
• 2012
  Received the Kimono Culture Award from the Cultural Foundation for Promoting the National Costume of Japan