Eri Imamura finds her Japanese roots by studying Native New Mexican beadwork
So, you’re back in your home city Tokyo now, why did you return? My plan was to bring back what I learned in New Mexico to my culture.
What interested you in Native studies? When I was studying Japanese traditional art at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, I found that we are forgetting our cultural identities. And I decided to come to New Mexico to learn from Native Americans who keep their own traditions strongly even though they are surrounded by modernization.
In Japan, Native American art and culture are very popular and there are a number of books about Native American philosophy and spirituality. I am one of many Japanese who are moved by the cultural wisdom from those books. I believe it is how human beings are supposed to live. Also, I feel the Japanese share thought with Native Americans in our own cultural beliefs.
I did not come to New Mexico to study my own culture, but Native Americans taught me how strongly I connect with my background. Sometimes going out of the box makes people realize the truth in the box.
How are the two cultures similar? I found a significant connection. In Shinto, a Japanese native religion, as in Native culture, there are deities everywhere in nature: trees, stone, water, clouds, wind, space and animals.
In both cultures, we understand that everything is interdependent. This Native American belief has the fundamental idea of yin and yang, which many Eastern cultures share.
In the same way, in a beautiful, long pipe bag in Native American culture I see a 'blessing candy bag' - my new piece - in Japanese culture. In a beautiful pair of moccasins I see a pair of tabi, or Japanese sandals. In a beautiful Native American fan, I see a Japanese traditional fan.
You’ve done some designs inspired by the imagery in traditional Japanese tattoos, which you said would originally have been worn by Japanese gangs. Are tattoos becoming less taboo in Japan? Have you been criticized for using these images? No, I would say tattoo is still taboo. I have not shown my works in Japan. But I would guess there would be some criticism.
Since you started to seek a more traditional way of life, how is your life different? My mind, my values and my identity have changed. I know now more clearly that I am Japanese. But at the same time I am living in a small square condo on the tenth floor of a building in Tokyo. And I wear western clothes and drive a car and take a train. But I bead, that’s the biggest change.
Do you plan to continue with your beadwork or take another direction? I will continue beading! 
Eri Imamura's work
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