Kurume Kasuri

 

Kurume Kasuri, made using hand-woven techniques and hand-tied indigo dyeing, is unrivaled in beauty among all Japanese cotton Kasuri.

Intricate yet simple and warm kasuri patterns come in a variety of designs, from small to medium and large, and even illustrated kasuri.

The hand-tying process, which determines the finished pattern, requires great skill.

Kurume Kasuri patterns are created using hand-woven techniques and hand-tied indigo dyeing, and are classified into small, medium, and large patterns depending on the size and number of patterns in relation to the width of the fabric (35-38cm).

The patterns can be broadly divided into geometric patterns and pictorial patterns, and both often use animals, plants, and objects that are considered to be auspicious.

We use high-quality natural indigo for our indigo dyeing.

By repeating the process of dipping the fabric in indigo, squeezing it, and beating it approximately 50 to 60 times, a beautiful color with a striking contrast between white and navy blue is achieved.

Each of these detailed steps, which involve carefully weaving the fabric while matching the patterns, requires considerable skill.

This is also something that takes time and effort, I respect the person who came up with this idea.

Well, see you next time.

Aizu cotton

 

Aizu cotton is a traditional plain-woven cotton fabric from Fukushima Prefecture that is durable, shrink-resistant, thick, and fluffy, with beautiful striped patterns.

The unique knots created by the wheat flour paste applied to the warp threads trap air in the fabric, making it cool in summer and warm in winter, and providing excellent moisture absorption and heat retention.

The more you use it, the softer it becomes, and it is durable and resistant to washing, so it can be washed at home.Even today, it is loved for a variety of purposes, including fashion and accessories.

The beautiful striped pattern, woven with two or more colors of warp thread, gives the viewer a sense of calm and warmth.

This fabric was popular among common people as work clothes (farm work clothes), and the manufacturing methods and techniques have been passed down to the present day.

Aizu cotton is used for everyday clothing, such as shirts, pants, skirts, and Samue.

I've made it into a dress and love it. It's so comfortable.

Well, see you next time.

Kiryu Weaving

 

Kiryu weaving is a high-quality fabric with a history of over 1,000 years, produced in the area around Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture, and is characterized by its unique luster, soft texture, and fine unevenness.

Seven weaving techniques, namely Omeshi weaving, Weft Nishiki weaving, Warp Nishiki weaving, Futsuori weaving, Uki-warp weaving, Warp Kasuri pattern weaving, and Isoori weaving, have been designated as traditional crafts of Japan, and by making full use of these techniques, it is possible to create delicate patterns and picturesque expressions.

There are records of yellow ashiginu in the Nara period, and it is a traditional craft with a history of over 1,000 years.

It is primarily made using the yarn dyeing technique (a technique in which the yarn is dyed before weaving), and is characterized by complex and delicate patterns, such as combining multiple colors with a single color warp thread or expressing patterns with a double structure.

Kiryu weaving is characterized by its intricate patterns and beautiful colors, and is used for a variety of products such as kimonos, obi sashes, and more recently, clothing and bags.

Kimonos have a long history, so the history of fabrics is also long, and various types have been created in different regions.

I can't wear all of them, but I'd like to have about a third of them.

Well, see you next time.

Oshima Tsumugi

 

Oshima Tsumugi is often used for kimonos and is known as the "Queen of Kimonos."

Oshima Tsumugi is recognized as one of the three great textiles in the world, along with Gobelin tapestries (France) and Persian carpets (Iran).

It is a fabric whose appeal is known internationally.

Oshima Tsumugi, made from 100% silk, has long been loved by people as a luxury fabric.

Made from 100% silk, it is soft and comfortable against the skin. It also has the advantage of being cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Oshima Tsumugi is woven using a method called "hiraori," in which warp and weft threads are woven alternately.

It is characterized by its low transparency, smooth feel, and symmetrical pattern.

It is processed by hand using a tightening machine.

Oshima Tsumugi is dyed using the pre-dyed method, where the threads are dyed first.

The main features of Oshima Tsumugi are its deep mud-dyed colors, delicate kasuri patterns, and its light, durable feel.

It takes a lot of time and effort to make these, so I'm grateful to the craftsmen.

Well, see you next time.

Kihachijo

 

Kihachijo is a plant-dyed silk fabric that originated on Hachijojima Island in Tokyo and uses plants that grow naturally on the island.

The three main colors are yellow (Kobuna grass), birch (Madami bark), and black (shii tree bark). The most representative color is the yellow known as "Kihachijo," but there are also brown and black varieties.

It is characterized by its vivid colors, unique elegance, and durable dyeing techniques that are said to ensure the colors will not fade even after they have been passed down to your grandchildren.

It is woven with traditional patterns such as stripes and checks.

It has also been designated as a traditional craft by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Many of the designs are traditional stripes and checks, and their simplicity is one of their characteristics.

There is also a unique weaving technique called ayaori, which produces a beautiful luster and a suppleness that conforms to the body.

I like plant patterns, but I also like plaid and striped patterns; they make me feel more energized.

Well, see you next time.

Yuki Tsumugi

 

The main feature of Yuki Tsumugi is that it is light, warm, and fluffy and soft to wear, as it is woven from hand-spun cotton yarn in an almost untwisted state.

It is said that "it takes three generations of wear for it to develop a unique character," and it is so durable and long-lasting that it develops a unique texture over time, which is also an attractive feature.

This unique technique was registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2010.

When weaving cloth, the warp threads are kept taut and the weaver uses his or her entire body to weave using a primitive loom called a "jiki."

The Yuki Tsumugi silk on display in stores is heavily starched, but this is to protect the fabric.

Once tailored, the fabric is boiled in water to restore its original soft texture, but the starch does not completely disappear.

As you wear it repeatedly, the starch gradually wears off, the fabric becomes more flexible, and you can enjoy the kimono "growing" as it adapts to your body.

The reason why Yuki Tsumugi is so expensive is because it takes a huge amount of time to weave one kimono.

Some items cost over 1 million yen, while the cheaper ones are around 60,000 yen.

If it can be worn by parents, children, and grandchildren...I would like to wear the real thing.

Well, see you next time.

Tokamachi Yuzen

 

The main features of Tokamachi Yuzen are its beautiful, gorgeous patterns that are like paintings, and the modern designs created by young artisans.

And it is an integrated production system within the production area.

Unlike Kyoto's division of labor system, in Tokamachi one manufacturer handles everything from design to tailoring, allowing for originality and rapid product development.

In addition to traditional natural patterns, modern designs and new ideas are incorporated, resulting in many colorful and vibrant kimonos.

Since the introduction of Kyoto's Yuzen techniques in the late 1950s, a wide variety of kimonos and obi, including furisode, tomesode, and houmongi, have been produced here, making it a major Yuzen production center on a par with Kyoto.

The manufacturing process is broadly divided into two types: "hand-painted yuzen" and "kata-yuzen," which uses a stencil to dye the fabric.

Tokamachi City is characterized by its harsh natural environment with heavy snowfall, the beautiful rice terrace landscape that has resulted from this, and contemporary art, centered around the Echigo-Tsumari Art Triennale.

I'm so grateful to the artisans who make such beautiful things.

Well, see you next time.