Emerald Shadow

About this work

"Suiei" (Emerald Shadow) is a rōketsuzome (wax-resist dyeing) work on silk, capturing the quiet interplay of green-toned light and shadow. The title evokes the dappled shade cast through foliage—a transient, verdant presence rendered permanent on fabric. Molten wax is applied to the silk to block areas from absorbing dye; through repeated waxing and immersion in acid dyes, layered hues and subtle crackle patterns emerge. Acid dyes bond directly with the protein fibers of silk, producing a luminous depth of color. The inherent unpredictability of the wax-resist process gives each passage of green its own tonal character, while the silk's natural sheen shifts the appearance of the work as the viewer's angle changes.