Hosted by Yamanashi Hemslöjd, Mikiko Yamanashi - Profile
Mikiko Yamanashi has vigorously introduced Nordic and British handicrafts such as embroidery and weaving into Japan, and has also presented her own works.
For half a century, they have been active on the front lines, involved in numerous exhibitions, workshops, publications, productions, shops, and gallery management. Currently, they serve as the overall advisor for the policies and operations of Yamanashi Hemslöjd. In recent years, with an eye on climate change and global affairs, they have also dedicated their passion to social activities. They are focusing their efforts on rebuilding a mountain villa in Inawashiro, built as an atelier in the 1980s, and constructing an archive that preserves the traditions and techniques of handicrafts in coexistence with nature.
Profile
Graduated from the Department of French Studies, Tokyo Metropolitan University in 1967. Thesis on Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin's 'The Physiology of Taste'.
In 1967, she studied cuisine in Lyon, France. She met her childhood pen pal, Ilva Olson, and was captivated by Swedish life, where handicrafts are richly utilized, leading her to study Swedish weaving.
1970: Held a Swedish weaving (Flemish weaving) class under the auspices of the Swedish National Association for Handicraft.
In 1971, became an associate of the Swedish National Association of Homecraft and established the Swedish Textile Institute. In the same year, she held an exhibition at the Matsuya Department Store in Ginza. Subsequently, she opened Yamanashi Hemslöjd shops at the Swedish Center in Roppongi and Tokyu Department Store in Shibuya.
1976 Representative of the Danish Guild of Handicraft in Japan
1978 Opened the Yamanashi Hemslöjd Building, incorporating an atelier, on Kakinokizaka, Meguro.
1981 Established studio villa "Akai House" in Inawashiro, Fukushima Prefecture.
1983 Solo exhibition at Wako, Ginza
1984 "Junior Cooking Class" (Poplar Publishing)
Represented Japan at the Royal School, UK in 1984
Awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Polar Star by the King of Sweden in 1985
1986: Published *Skincare Made with Herbs: A Beauty and Health Introduction for Naturalists* (Kodansha). A pioneering introductory book calling for ecological, organic beauty.
1988 London Office Opens
1991 Solo exhibition at the Smith Gallery, London
1997 Relocation of head office to Omotesando (Jingumae, Shibuya-ku)
2001 Established HF Gallery in Copenhagen as a centre for the exhibition of works by the Danish Craftsmen's Guild and for cultural exchange.
2002 Exhibition and solo exhibition "Mikiko Yamanashi Embroidery and Weaving Lifestyle Exhibition" to commemorate the publication of "Nordic Handicraft Notebook" held at Shibuya Tokyu Department Store Main Store.
2004 The opened at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store.
2012: Moved Head Office to Gaienmae (Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku)
In 2014, spun off from YHI Limited Company, the NPO Nordic Traditional Handicraft Promotion Association Yamanashi Hemslojd was established.
Gallery Yamanashi opens in Stockholm, Sweden
2017 Launched The Cross Over Project with Swedish designer Maria Holmer Dahlgren
Yamanashi Mikiko's online broadcast during the state of emergency due to the 2020 novel coronavirus pandemic.
2021 50th Anniversary Flemish Works Production "My Garden" & Mikiko Yamanashi's Home Open House Exhibition
2022 Established an archive studio for the perpetuation of traditional techniques and the preservation of artworks (Den'enchofu, Ota Ward)
2023 Relocation of headquarters back to Omotesando (Jingumae, Shibuya-ku)
2024: Work begins on regenerating the "Red House" in Inawashiro
2026: Yamanashi Hemslöjd 55th Anniversary Supervision and Creation of the Work "Moonlit Flower"
Major Works and Translations
Textiles
Weaving Cords (New Technique Series): Band Weaving and Card Weaving in Scandinavian Life, 1978 (Bijutsu Shuppan-sha)
Swedish Weaving: Techniques and Works, 1979 (Asahi Shimbun Publishing)
"Swedish Weaving by Marin Serander," 1980 (Aschett Fujin Gahōsha)
"Swedish Weaving with Flowers" 1986 (Kodansha)
Swedish Textile Best Collection 1986 (Book Tokyo)
"Handwoven on a Wooden Loom" 2004 (Bunka Publishing Bureau)
Embroidery
Danish Cross-Stitch, 1979 (8 volumes) (Bunka Publishing Bureau)
British Canvas Work Roses 1984 (Bunka Publishing Bureau)
"British Canvas Work: Flowers and Initials," 1984 (Bunka Publishing Bureau)
"British Cross-Stitch Flower Collection" 1991 (Bunka Publishing Bureau)
Japanese Sampler in Cross Stitch: Celebrations Galore, 1991
Victorian Floral Embroidery: The World of William Morris, 1994 (Bunka Publishing Bureau)
"Flowers in the Garden" 1999
Elegant Embroidery, 2001 (Nihon Vogue Sha)
Gerda Bengtsson: Embroidery and Life
"Denmark Cross-Stitch: Various Borders" 2004 (Bunka Publishing Bureau)
'Swedish Cross-Stitch' 2006 (3 volumes) (Bunka Publishing Bureau)
"Ingrid Pum's Danish Cross-Stitch" (2-volume set) 2008
'Nordic Simple Embroidery' 2009 (Graffsha)
Swedish Cross-Stitch Christmas Tapestry 2009
Danish Cross-Stitch: Merry Christmas 2010
Danish Cross Stitch: Living Through the Seasons and Window Flowers
Danish Cross-Stitch: Sketches of Cityscapes and Windows
Danish Cross-Stitch: Danish National Costumes 2011
A Flower Encyclopedia Drawn in Cross-Stitch 2013
Knit
Scandinavian Pattern Knitting 1981 (Bunka Publishing Bureau)
Britt's Gentle Hand-Knitting: 30 Straight Knit Designs for Children and Adults. 1980 (Bunka Publishing Bureau)
Others
Home Oven Cooking, 1977 (Fujingaho-sha)
"Shastin's Clothes from Her Life as a Seamstress" 1978 (2 volumes)
"Illustrated Oven Cooking" 1978 (Hachette Fujingaho Sha)
The Book of Bean Sprouts, 1981 (Bunka Publishing Bureau)
The Traditional Swedish Handicrafts: Textiles, Embroidery, Lace, Knitting, Woodworking, Metalworking. 1982 (San-I Shobo)
Bobbin Lace (New Techniques Series) 1983 (Bijutsu Shuppan-sha)
Junior Cooking Class, 1984 (Poplar Publishing)
"Skincare Using Herbs" 1986 (Kodansha)
*Linnea's Little Garden* 1994 (Sekai Bunkasha)
The Story of Alice in Wonderland: Another Alice and Lewis Carroll, 1995 (Sekai Bunkasha)