Ikuko Sasamura

"I use to teach calligraphy to elementary and middle school students while working as a writer." - Ikuko Sasamura

What do you collect?

I wouldn’t say I collect things, but ever since I started working with handmade crafts, I naturally gravitate towards handmade items when choosing clothes, bags, and accessories. I find myself drawn to the materials used, the people behind the creations, and the thoughts and intentions they put into their work—more so than the price or design. The same goes for items carefully curated by trusted shop owners.

In the town where I live, there are many artisans nearby, each creating wonderful pieces. By incorporating their works into my life—whether by wearing them or decorating my home with them—I feel a sense of richness and fulfillment every day.

How are you inspired by nature?

I enjoy tending to my garden, walking through the nearby countryside, and sometimes even camping alone. What I always feel is that “change is the essence of nature.”

At the right moment, seeds sprout, flowers bloom, and eventually, they wither and disappear.

In recent years, as I’ve grown older and experienced the loss of my parents, I’ve come to realize that, just like nature, human emotions, relationships, and life itself are constantly changing and will one day come to an end.

The time I have to create is also limited, which is why I feel grateful and fortunate to be living in this moment.

Where in the world excites you most?

I enjoy traveling both within Japan and abroad, but my favorite place is home. Watching the changing scenery of my garden with the seasons, listening to birdsong and the hum of insects, and spending my days in my studio crafting chair pads brings me great peace.

In the evenings, I look forward to preparing meals for my family when they return home hungry. I live with my daughter, her spouse, my grandchild, and a black cat.

During my child-rearing years, household chores felt like part of my job, but now I see them as one of my roles, and I’m grateful to be able to fulfill it. I also make lunchboxes every day, and my family takes them with them when they leave for work.

How are you inspired by the past?

I used to work as a writer for a real estate advertising magazine for many years. I enjoyed the work and found it fulfilling, but over time, the once-prevailing belief that “owning a home brings happiness” began to shift for me. I also started to feel the strain of an endless cycle of deadlines and a lifestyle where I faced my computer until just before bed.

Additionally, the articles I wrote had a limited shelf life, and I didn’t feel a sense of directly helping anyone, which gradually left me feeling empty.

That’s why I now find happiness in creating high-quality, long-lasting items with my own hands and connecting with customers and shop owners from various towns.

"I wrote articles about construction companies that built houses and condominiums for sale. Occasionally, I was involved in editing and design as well. I would meet with clients and visit customers' homes with a photographer for interviews. I also hold a real estate agent license myself." - Sasamura

Where can people find your work?

The chair pads I create can be viewed at my home studio in Hiroshima as well as at several partner shops within Japan. Occasionally, I also showcase and sell my work directly in cities like Tokyo and Osaka, where I enjoy interacting with customers in person.

Since each piece is handmade, it takes time to complete, and I can’t handle large orders at once. Despite running such a small-scale business, I’ve been fortunate to connect with people overseas, which really makes me feel the possibilities of this new era.