Working On Gallery Vol. 7 - No.3
Guest Artist: Yuka Tsuchiya
Edited and Translated by Naoko Fujimoto
Guest Artist: Yuka Tsuchiya
Edited and Translated by Naoko Fujimoto
Yuka Tsuchiya
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WEAVE is a theme for the Working On Gallery Vol.7.
For this volume, I am focusing on writers and artists who weave elements into their creative community.
Those elements could be family relationships, neighborhood activities, or academic interpretations. Either way, one thread tightens and makes us stronger like a universal cloth. Yuka Tsuchiya opened a café named CHILT in Jiyugaoka, one of Tokyo's stylish areas with trendy bakery & sweets shops, traditional Japanese cuisine, high-end furniture stores, and fashionable boutiques. The café is located alongside Jiyugaoka's Green Roads to Kuhombutsu Joshin-ji Temple, established in 1678. This neighborhood intertwines history and contemporary fields and is a culturally rich area. Some of my readers and friends may taste CHILT’s famous cookies that I shared in the U.S. |
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The incredible commodity of this café is she hosts workshops for the local and international communities almost every day. You may follow their monthly schedule on Instagram CHILTチルト (@chilt_cafe.craft). The schedule was written in Japanese, but you may use online translation APPs. It is easy to understand their programs. Some of the classes are baking, handmade cosmetics, bead crafts, string art, and Japanese traditional Mizuhiki-knot art.
Yuka Tsuchiya is also a Mizuhiki instructor. She creates from small accessories to large fashion show pieces. She established her art café community in 2020 and has been an ambassador of the Modern Mizuhiki Association since May 2024. Both Tsuchiya and her master, Kyoko Omoda, often have workshops in their classes at the café.
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Mizuhiki Art by Yuka Tsuchiya
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Mizuhiki Art by Yuka Tsuchiya
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Mizuhiki is a Japanese traditional art that became popular around the 14th century. Mizuhiki is decorated knot-tying. The threads are made of Japanese washi-papers surrounded by silk cloths for sheen. Some of the contemporary threads are made of contemporary materials. Common shapes include cranes, turtles, pine, chrysanthemum flowers, and bow ties.
However, Tsuchiya is creating more modern pieces such as large headpieces and wall-framed works.
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Mizuhiki Art by Yuka Tsuchiya
CHILTチルト - 九品仏川緑道沿いのカフェ
Why did you establish the art workshops in a cafe?
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I became interested in establishing the neighborhood art community café through raising my three daughters. I loved exercising when growing up; though, my mother pursued arts and crafts and advanced hobbies. After my first pregnancy, I wanted to make bibs for my child, which was my first sewing experience. After having three daughters, arts and crafts became a big part of my daily life. I wanted them to wear matching kids’ clothes. I tried cartonnage, a French art technique that uses material made of layers of linen or papyrus covered with plaster. Macramé-knotting and bead embroidery also became my favorite. I had been crafting night after night.
Sometimes, I practiced while my friends chatted about daily subjects. It became a necessity when raising three children and doing house chores.
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CHILT チルト
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CHILTチルト - 7-chōme-6-10 Okusawa
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“I focus on crafting not just to learn advanced skills, but also to be away from the duties of being a mother and wife. It was hard to balance between housework and crafting, but I felt accomplishment in myself. My everyday life will be more enhanced.” I grew my philosophy in my creative time. After my daughters were more independent, I could have more time for myself. It may be difficult to start crafting by ourselves, but it would be easier if I have fellows and the space for people who love learning and pursuing art work. If there is lovely coffee and sweets, it would be the best art space, wouldn’t it? Therefore, I opened my café, CHILT.
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Mizuhiki Art by Yuka Tsuchiya
You are a mother of three, a full-time café owner, and a Mizuhiki artist.
How do you juggle all three professions?
Take time, step by step.
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When my daughters were young, I was a housewife. When my third child entered the second grade, I opened CHILT. I still wanted to spend a lot of time with my three daughters, so business hours were limited. However, it was a really big change for me from being a housewife to a café owner. My lifestyle had been changed, so spending time with my children had been dramatically shifted as well. “Was it too early to own my café?” I wondered many times. Though, I established my career step by step.
Now, the open hours are long and stable. There are many interesting workshops for our weekly schedules. I am thankful that I had my family’s support.
In addition, I think that I believed in myself having my philosophy of “step by step.” 「チャンスの神様は前髪しかない」"Seize the fortune by the forelock"
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Mizuhiki Art by Yuka Tsuchiya
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Mizuhiki Art by Yuka Tsuchiya
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Since 2024, I became a Mizuhiki artist. (Mizuhiki is a traditional Japanese artform of knot-tying with silk or paper threads.) These days I am increasingly pressed for time. Well, I do not have enough time. It may be difficult for me—that thought sometimes popped up in my head. However, I reminded myself of “Seize the fortune by the forelock." I do not want to miss the bang when the great opportunities are offered.
I balance between those two opposite approaches, but this is my work philosophy.
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What are you looking forward to in future workshops at your cafe?
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I started Mizuhiki for the first time when an instructor came for CHILT’s workshop. I met Omoda-sensei and Joe-sensei from the Modern Mizuhiki Association. I became a Mizuhiki artist around spring 2024. I make my pieces based on traditional techniques, but also I want to adapt contemporary elements into them. I sell my work at CHILT and a shop in Asakusa. I receive inquiries about hair pieces for Japanese traditional events such as the coming-of-age day and the Shichigosan-Children’s Blessing ceremony.
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Mizuhiki Art by Yuka Tsuchiya
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CHILT Workshops
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In 2024, I had a Mizuhiki fashion show at National Noh Theater in Shibuya. There, I exhibited my collection with a concept of intertwining tradition and contemporary. Instead of showing my art pieces, I also teach workshops. I want both beginners and experienced students to learn Mizuhiki knowledge and enjoy creating them.
I organize various workshops at CHILT. I invite instructors for baking, knitting, painting, and many genres of craft workshops. I want my visitors to smile and be happy. I always look for new collaborations and possibilities at this café.
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Mizuhiki Art by Yuka Tsuchiya
