In my previous blog post I showed you Kosaka-san’s sketch sketch with aobana ink. Once the sceth was completed, Kosaka-san disassembled and stitched back the kimono fabric into the long narrow shape. The next step is to directly place paste dye on the lines of the aobana ink sketch. In a similar way as using …
Yuzen is a resist dyeing technique that became the fashion for kimono at the end of the 17th century in Japan. Applying paste dye directly to fabric to prevent color transfer to other areas, Yuzen technique enables creating elaborate freehand designs with multiple colors. The first step is to sketch design on the white fabric …
6/28/2021: WHAT IS YUZEN–WE LOVE KIMONO PROJECT 7 Read More »
It’s been a while since I posted the progress of this project. The project has been going on but it’s me to blame not updating you about it. I’m sorry. Based upon my feedback, Mr. Katsuyama made the second medashi, this time without gold thread. The pink color is gone, too. Only bluish colors. Maybe …
How the Second Medashi Look Like –We Love Kimono Project 6 Read More »
November 15 is a holiday called Shichi Go San in Japan. Shichi means 7, Go means 5, and San means 3. When a girl becomes 3 and 7, and a boy becomes 5 years old, we celebrate it by visiting a shrine or temple dressed up. I don’t know much of the history, like why …
In my previous blog post “Wearing Gold – Japanese Way”, I mentioned about my obi that is woven with 24K gold thread. It is not easy to imagine how that is possible with only still photos. Thanks to NHK’s on-demand video, I can share with you how it is done. The video is available until …
When I was in grade school (I admit it was half a century ago), we students had to memorize map symbols. This symbol means a school, that one means a police station… It was sort of fun, but there was one symbol I wondered why I had to memorize. Hint. See the photo above….Yes, mulberry …
We Love Kimono Project #5 Mr. Nagamura of Mamiya sent me photos of my obi design. At first I was surprised, because the colors were no where close to ones that I have chosen. What is this? Only after reading Mr. Nagamura’s explanation was I relieved. The photos were of “Monzu 紋図” , some kind …
This documentary is a beautiful journey of a woman from Equador learning Yuzen hand dyeing technique in Japan. Please enjoy!