The history of Tokyo hand-painted Tegaki-Yuzen, nurtured by the culture of Edo
Yuzen dyeing is said to have existed since the mid-Edo period. It is said that Kyoto painters of those days originated the technique, and as Japan's center shifted to Edo, painters and dyers also relocated there, marking the beginning of the development of Tokyo hand-painted Tegaki-Yuzen. Initially, many dyeing workshops lined the streets of Kanda and Nihonbashi. However, due to factors like urbanization and the Great Kanto Earthquake, workshops began increasingly establishing themselves in Shinjuku-ku, upstream along the Kanda River.
Tokyo-Yuzen is chic and stylish
Tokyo-Yuzen is one of the three major Yuzen styles, along with Kyo-Yuzen and Kaga-Yuzen. While Kyo-Yuzen features many gorgeous works born from courtly culture, and Kaga-Yuzen often incorporates floral motifs due to the environment it was created in, Tokyo yuzen developed under Samurai culture and is characterized by its chic color palette. Yuzen dyeing thus has distinct characteristics that differ by region, and Tokyo-Yuzen is particularly praised for being chic and stylish.
Choose colors and a pattern, and create your own masterpiece
The Tokyo Tegaki-Yuzen Workshop: Kyobi activity begins with selecting your fabric color and pattern. The selectable patterns include the Treasure Trove, which is a good luck pattern, and the Flower Basket, which features flowers like cherry blossoms and peonies in a basket. Once you've chosen a pattern, you can start applying the colors you like.
When choosing colors, start with the lighter shades for a clean finish. You will feel the delicacy of hand-painted Tegaki-Yuzen dyeing, where even the brushes used are one per color. Choose colors from the available options, then apply them carefully, being mindful not to use too much pigment.
Use blending for an even more splendid piece
Once you become used to the pigment application process, you can try blending the colors. Using the center blending and exterior blending techniques will make your work even more splendid. To blend colors, apply water over the initial color, then apply the color you wish to blend. Afterward, trace the outline with water. The secret to making this look beautiful is to apply the color evenly, so this is the moment when the tension really builds.
Feeling that traditional crafts can actually be used may be a unique Japanese perspective
There are, of course, cultures other than Japan that dye silk around the world. However, in other countries, there is a strong tendency for this to be part of an artist’s activities. But the Tokyo Tegaki-Yuzen Workshop: Kyobi hand-painted Tegaki-Yuzen dyeing activity has the atmosphere of actually using pieces that have been made through the yuzen dyeing process as things like Kimonos and Obi belts.
This is a valuable opportunity to experience the difference between applying colors on paper and applying colors on fabric, and to learn the profound depth of hand-painted Tegaki-Yuzen dyeing. We hope you try the art of creating a chic and stylish look unique to Tokyo-Yuzen.
Tokyo Tegaki-Yuzen Workshop: Kyobi is a hand-painted Tegaki-Yuzen workshop that was established in 1964. Currently, it produces and sells hand-painted Tegaki-Yuzen dyed Kimonos, Obi belts, and Japanese wear accessories made by the second-generational workshop head Manabu Osawa. Additionally, to promote traditional Japanese culture, it offers Yuzen Workshops (Dyeing Workshops) and Yuzen Activity Workshops taught by traditional artisans, as well as Kimono Dressing Workshops led by kimono dressing instructors.
