Master Kosho Ogawa

This stunning collection of Japanese scrolls, pictures and noren, which are exclusive to The Japanese Shop, have been designed and made by Master Kosho Ogawa. Kosho was born in Kyoto, Japan in 1956 and after studying textile design and dyeing he established his own brand label in 1989 and has since won many prestigious awards. Kosho’s workshop is close to a Shinto Shrine in Kyoto, an area of outstanding natural beauty that clearly provides significant inspiration; he is quoted as saying “creativity is to feel the seasons”. 

The flowers, trees and plants are drawn with a calligraphy brush and a paint brush. Kosho’s designs combine modern colour combinations with an instinctive understanding of traditional Japanese culture and techniques. He uses colouring materials from plant extracts, sumi (black calligraphy ink), artificial dyes and gold which together generate a three dimensional impression on the surface of the fabric. Strong lines seem to symbolise force whilst the small dots appear random and accidental but the result is a masterpiece of physical balance in a timeless world.