Moeki Yamada

Loom, thread and mind in symphony

• Moeki crafts timeless pieces inspired by Japanese minimalism
• She values the process of making as much as the final product
• Currently living in Spain, she searches for balance between her two cultures

Moeki Yamada was born in Japan and now lives in Barcelona, in between her adopted and native cultures, mixing them to express her way of seeing life. To her, the creative process of dyeing and weaving is a destination in itself. Moeki's pieces attempt to recover the spirit of the Furoshiki that was predominant in Japanese history until the Edo period, when there was a significant encounter with Western culture. This event transformed Japanese culture and brought with it new ideas such as the concept of a bag with handles. So were Azuma bags born. Moeki practises a Japanese art of weaving called shifu, which is at risk of disappearing.

Interview

©Albert Martínez

©Moeki Yamada

How did textiles become part of your life?

My first contact with the textile world took place a few months after I arrived in Barcelona. In a textile workshop, I fell in love with a huge wooden loom. From there I took up textile art studies at the Massana School. Since then my passion for fabrics has only grown.

Was there a decisive moment that led you to work with textiles professionally?

For the final project of my studies I decided to investigate the textile traditions of Japan as a way of reconnecting with my roots. I choose a technique called shifu from the feudal era that consists of weaving thick threads from a traditional paper called washi. The encounter with the philosophy of shifu awakened in me a commitment to this ancient craft.

Did you have an important teacher during your training?

Sadako Sakurai, who has dedicated her entire life to reviving shifu, had a great influence on me. Witnessing her dedication and her passion for textiles, to which she had devoted a lifetime, left a deep impression on me.

What is the importance of the artisan process for you?

The craft cannot be defined as 'efficient'. For all the hours, days and weeks it requires, my life is dedicated to weaving and I produce a very small amount of finished pieces. To me, the process itself is the destination and the product represents the process, not just a bag

Moeki Yamada is a rising star: she began her career in 2021 and she started teaching in 2023

Works

©Taima Estudi

©Taima Estudi

©Taima Estudi

©Taima Estudi

©Taima Estudi

Where