By Patricia Belyea
TOKYO, JP I’ve just received the difficult news that Kuroha Shizuko passed away last week.
Ten years ago, at the Tokyo Quilt Festival, I was stunned by Kuroha’s retrospective exhibit. Walking into her display felt like following the tail of a comet. I experienced Kuroha’s quilts as the most remarkeble puzles.
Her piecing transitioned gracefully from one geometric shape to another, creating a folk textile dance full of ease. Yet, the careful planning behind each composition revealed an engineering mind at work.
Tragically, it was her mind that failed her. Although one of our tour groups visited Kuroha in October 2023, she could no longer host visitors just six months later. Dementia stole her ability to work, recognize friends, and ultimately, her life.
Kuroha was a quilting superstar, a sensei, and an industry leader. Just as importantly, she was a gentle, fun-loving spirit.
Rest in peace, Kuroha.
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ABOUT US: Okan Arts, a petite family business, is co-owned by mother-daughter duo Patricia Belyea and Victoria Stone. Patricia and Victoria sell Japanese textiles online, host creative quilting experiences, and lead quilting & textile tours to Japan.
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