-owned embroidery specialist, this project had “a sentimental value with a strong symbolism,” given her dual French and Japanese heritage. “Discovering and creating a connection with half of my origins the year I turn 50 — being more French than Japanese in my daily life — to celebrate young Maholo, a rare binational actor to make his official debut in kabuki, is a source of great pride,” she told WWD ahead of the ceremony.
Some 8,900 organza sequins in a multicolored palette were laser-cut and individually stitched, while Terajima’s name and family crest were embroidered using a Cornely machine to achieve a trompe-l’oeil calligraphy effect. The 25.4-meter-long and 5.3-meter-high curtain was a challenge that required 800 hours to complete, and had to be worked as 12 distinct segments. “Rather than working on tables as we normally would to print the embroidery design, we had to work on the ground,” recalled Yamashita. “For the different organza sequins, we had to unroll and re-roll the panels on a table large enough for 3-meter-wide segments.
Terajima is the son of award-winning Japanese actress Shinobu Terajima and French art director Laurent Ghnassia; and grandson of kabuki legend Onoe Kikugoro VII, who was designated a Living National Treasure by the Japanese government in 2003. Originating in the 17th century Edo period, kabuki performances combine drama, dance and music, with male actors playing roles of any gender and age, using highly stylized costumes, masks and makeup to embody each character.