niponica is a web magazine that introduces modern Japan to people all over the world.
2013 No.11
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Japanese Fabrics Have Their Global Reputation Wrapped Up
Dyeing and Weaving
Japan's textile culture—Shaped by a rich array of techniques
Shibori-zome dyeing refers to a set of dyeing techniques used to create simpler patterns by binding, stitching or folding the fabric to prevent dye from coloring those areas of the cloth. Although tiedyeing techniques have evolved in many cultures around the world, Japanese shibori is unique in the wide variety of patterns that have developed.
Collaboration: Takeda Kahei Shoten and Arimatsu-Narumi Shiborikaikan
Photos by Takahashi Hitomi
Arimatsu shibori, originating in the Aichi Prefecture town of Arimatsu, is a well-known style of cotton shibori-zome. Inheriting tradition from the early 17th century founder of the Arimatsu shibori school, Takeda Kahei Shoten displays an amazing spectrum of shibori patterns, including the kumo shibori pattern that resembles spider webs and kanoko shibori, a technique that involves tying off small bobbles of fabric to create speckled cloth with a bumpy texture. Today, fabrics woven by intentionally omitting intermittent warp threads to retain a bumpy or wrinkled texture can be found worldwide.
The fingers of a master artisan work their magic, binding cloth onto which an initial pattern has already been painted/stenciled.