Company Company Outline / History

Company Outline

Sahari Co., Ltd.

Address: 10-10 Omiya Shakadani, Kita Ward, Kyoto City 603-8478 Google Map
Phone: +81-(0)75-493-8857
Fax: +81-(0)75-493-8859
Founded November 15, 1993
Capital 10 million yen

History

1957 Sadao Ikeguchi entered Ikeguchi Co., Ltd. after graduating from university.
1972 After experiencing a life-changing moment at the Tokyo Kimono Show, he devoted himself to making fabric that takes light (lighting) into account.
1981 At an exhibition of the Shosoin Repository at the Tokyo National Museum, he encountered “Sahari no Kaban” (bowls made of copper, tin, and lead alloy) which would be the origin of the company name. After many years of trial and error, he developed fabric and named it “Sahari Tsuzure.”
1982 Sahari Tsuzure Brocade debuted at Itchiku Kubota's “The Show.”
1984 He had his first solo exhibition at Central Museum Ginza. His first overseas exhibition was in Cuomo, Italy.
1987 “Sahari Tsuzure Show” was held in Cuomo, Italy.
1988 Invited to the Australia Bicentenary celebration and held a large-scale kimono show in Adelaide in South Australia
1993 Held a large-scale kimono show in Adelaide due to request from the South Australian government.
Sahari Co., Ltd established.
1996 Designed costumes for the Third Ichikawa Ennosuke for the commemorative performance “Shitenno Momijino Edoguma” to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the National Theatre of Japan
1997 Was awarded the 41st Award of Excellence, Person of Invention Merits by the Kyoto Prefecture.
2000 The traveling exhibition “Sahari Art Exhibition” was shown in seven cities across Australia.
2002 Was awarded the 46th Award of Excellence, Person of Invention Merits by the Kyoto Prefecture.
Was given the Encouragement Award by the Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation.
2004 Moved the head office to the birthplace of Sahari Tsuzure Brocade (Omiya Shakadani, Kita-ward, Kyoto)
Held “Sahari: Eternal Brilliance” exhibition at the International Convention Center "Pamir," Tokyo New Takanawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo.
2006 Held “Koto Junrei” exhibition at the Hiten Hall, Tokyo New Takanawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo.
2007 Held “Sahari World Heritage” exhibition at the Hiten Hall, Tokyo New Takanawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo.
2008 Held “Sahari Art for Black Light” exhibition (collaboration with Nihonga painter Toyoo Miyanishi)
2010 Held “Charmed by Mt. Fuji: Shogo Kariyazaki, Itchiku Kubota, Sahari Tsuzure Brocade: Co-starring of Flowers, Dyeing, and Weaving” exhibition at the North Hall, Twin Messe Shizuoka.
2011 Held “30 Years of Sahari Tsuzure Brocade” exhibition at Central Museum Ginza.
The Sahari Art Work “Fujin Raijin” entered the Museum of Kyoto collection.
2013 Held “Sahari Tsuzure Brocade” exhibition as part of the “Kanze Family: Flowers of Muromachi” exhibition at Jotenkaku Museum, Shokoku-ji temple
  • Sahari Tsuzure’s first overseas solo exhibition (Basílica de San Francisco, Cuomo, Italy,1984)
  • Sahari Tsuzure kimono and show at the Australia Bicentenary Celebration (Adelaide Town Hall, Adelaide, South Australia, 1988)
  • Designed costumes for the Third Ichikawa Ennosuke for the commemorative performance “Shitenno Momijino Edoguma” to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the National Theatre of Japan, 1996
  • Awarded the 41st Award of Excellence, Person of Invention Merits by the Kyoto Prefecture (1997)
  • “Charmed by Mt. Fuji: Shogo Kariyazaki, Itchiku Kubota, Sahari Tsuzure Brocade: Co-starring of Flowers, Dyeing, and Weaving” exhibition (2010)
  • The Sahari Art Work “Fujin Raijin” entered the Museum of Kyoto collection (2011)

Craftsmanship with an Eye on the Times

(Teiichi Aramaki, Director, Museum of Kyoto)

*The message received at the time the Sahari Art Work “Fujin Raijin” entered the Museum of Kyoto collection (2011)

It was my first viewing of Mr. Ikeguchi's Sahari Tsuzure Brodcade when I made a speech as a representative of Kyoto Prefecture at a briefing session on Mr. Ikeguchi's overseas exhibition in Cuomo, Italy in 1984 held at the KBS Hall.
What made a great impression on me was a brilliance I’ve never seen before, as well as the change of color depending on the angle you look at the works. Thereafter, every time I was shown his new works, each was different than the previous. Especially the Sahari Tsuzure Brocade Lounge Set shown at ITF held at the Kyoto International Conference Centere and later used for the VIP Room at the Kyoto International Community House attracted attention for its mysterious brilliance. Furthermore, at the “Sahari Tsuzure Brocade: External Brilliance” exhibition at Tokyo New Takanawa Prince Hotel, Tokyo in 2004, it was the first time that someone used LED lighting for illumination which produced a 3-dimensional atmosphere with an illusionistic beauty. I strongly felt this kind of expression that Sahari Art Work can produce is the most necessary healing art power for these times. Mr. Ikeguchi says that he made the Sahari Art Work "Fujin Raijin," which is donated this time to the renovated and re-opened Museum of Kyoto, with the hope providing a more relaxing space for visitors.
I'm deeply impressed that it is a gift that was made with an eye on the times.