Some artists use paint, others clay. Kiyoka Endo (Endo-san) uses the landscape itself. In her quiet atelier, Brillante, tucked away in the forests of Nasu, this master dyer coaxes colour from the world around her, creating pieces that are as unique as the moments they were made in.
Endo-san moved to Nasu from Kanagawa Prefecture in 2007, drawn to the area’s rich nature and distinct four seasons. Here, she established Brillante, a workshop and creative sanctuary where she transforms the flora of Nasu into beautiful items like scarves and bags. Her process is a form of alchemy. She begins by drying plants, then boiling and simmering them down to extract their hidden hues. While she has a special fondness for the moss green that comes from herbs and lavender, she finds a unique joy in experimenting with everything the land offers. She’ll just as easily find a vibrant shade in used coffee grounds or even animal dung, delighting in the surprise each new material brings.
This means that no two creations are ever alike. “It’s difficult to produce the same colour twice,” she explains, and it is this very unpredictability that she finds so compelling. Each scarf or bag she dyes is a “one-of-a-kind” piece, capturing the essence of a particular plant at a particular time. It’s a philosophy that has earned her international recognition, with her work being shown in exhibitions overseas.
But for Endo-san, the true reward isn’t found in accolades, but in connection. Her face lights up when she speaks about her work, and she feels the deepest sense of purpose and happiness when she sees someone using and enjoying one of her creations. Her advice to others is simple and reflects her own journey: “Be passionate about what you love”. To do that, she believes, you must first get to know and love yourself, and understand what you truly want to cherish. A visit to Brillante is more than a chance to acquire a beautiful object; it’s an inspiring encounter with an artist who is living her passion, surrounded by the nature that fuels it.
Nasu Ashino Stone Museum(Operated by Shirai Sekizawa)
593-245 Takakuotsu, Nasu-machi, Nasu-gun, Tochigi Prefecture, 329-3443
0287-74-5158
Visits to the atelier are by appointment only. Be sure to call ahead to schedule a time to meet Endo-san and see her beautiful, one-of-a-kind creations.
