kimito The brilliance of cloisonné combined with tools: An interview w

Ueki Mito is a cloisonné artist who expresses the traditional Japanese technique of cloisonné with a unique worldview. His "kimito" accessories, which maximize the appeal of the techniques and materials themselves, have been featured in kimono magazines and other media, garnering attention. In connection with his collaboration with Obidomeya Wargo, which is committed to "craftsmanship," we have focused on the tools that Ueki Mito uses.

kimito Shippo ware, a specialty in decorative items that brighten up your everyday life

Shippo ware has a long history and has been loved in Japan since ancient times, but there are still many techniques that have not been spotlighted. For this reason, Kimito has discarded the notion of "how it should be" and is committed to designs that bring out the best in the techniques and materials themselves, proposing a new type of shippo ware that is not flashy but rather decorative and adds color to your everyday life.

Our commitment to cloisonné begins with the firing process

The definition of cloisonné is quite simple: "A glassy glaze baked onto a metal plate at high temperature." Kimito's obidome uses thin copper plates for a light finish, and is covered on both sides with a glassy glaze to increase its strength. This is where the "saddle" comes in. The obidome is placed on a four-pronged prong, not on the surface, but at points, and then fired. Because the saddles are unstable, they are placed in the kiln one at a time. Each piece is carefully baked and finished at each stage. Over the years, the glassy glaze gradually bakes into this stainless steel saddle, and the overlapping of the various glazes gives it a beautiful iridescent shine. The fascinating thing about tools is that they become more beautiful the more they are used.

Diamond polishing and finishing with a custom-made, well-worn pad

Diamonds are considered the hardest natural mineral, and while many people associate them with jewelry, they are also used as a polishing material. The diamonds are laid out in sheets on a sponge-like base. While powered tools are used during the production process, the final polishing is done carefully by hand, one by one, using these diamond pads. Three different levels of coarseness are used, but the well-worn diamond pad at the top of the photo is used for the final finish. They have been worn down so much that they no longer feel rough to the touch, but their fineness makes them perfect for the finish.

An hourglass that tells you the exact time and slowly guides you to completion

A minute timer is essential as the firing is based on one minute. One obidome is taken in and out of the kiln an average of five times as it is fired at each step. The tense atmosphere of the hourglass makes it easy to use. The short time is quietly notified without making a sound. The accumulation of these minutes leads to completion.

Profile of Mito Ueki

Born in Tokyo in 1990, she was educated in calligraphy from an early age by her parents, who are calligraphers. At the age of 16, she encountered cloisonné ware and was drawn to its infinite possibilities for expression and the sense of tension that comes with a single shot. She embarked on her path as an artist, using this technique as a starting point. In 2011, she studied abroad in Germany for a year. In 2012, she launched the cloisonné obi-dome brand, Shippoyaki Kimito, and has been active in the media, with her obi-dome being featured in kimono magazines and in a SHARP commercial. She continues to work daily in pursuit of expressions that bring out the beauty of cloisonné ware.

Kimito

Kimito is primarily focused on the production and sale of obidome clasps made using cloisonné, a traditional Japanese craft. The special feeling you get the moment you pick up a one-of-a-kind piece will bring out your individuality to the fullest and add even more color to your life. Kimito, named after designer Ueki Mito, is a brand that embodies the desire to be art that will stay with you forever. Kimito strives to create products that bring traditional crafts closer to you and allow you to enjoy art more easily, connecting you with it. ■Kimito website here ■Kimito Facebook

What did you think? You could feel Ueki's passion for the brand, even making tools if they weren't already there. The three "Pinch of Sparkle" series, which we collaborated on this time, was already a popular lineup for kimito. These show a different kind of "sparkle" from the previous series, which had muted colors. Be sure to give them a try.