Kyo-Yuzen Dyeing
Autumn begins
sea and sprouting rice fields
one green
–Bashō
“Marumasu-Nishimuraya has been following the techniques of Kyo-Yuzen since its inception more than 100 years ago.
Housed in a wooden townhouse brimming with tradition, our goal is to provide you with the ultimate Japanese experience through our courses and workshops supported by an experienced team and surrounded by a unique, truly Japanese atmosphere. Whether it’s experiencing the ultimate kimono dyeing art of Kyo-Yuzen, mastering the ways of the Furoshiki or taking a break at our café, Marumasu-Nishimuraya gives you another way to enjoy and experience the traditions of Kyoto.
Kyo-Yuzen, a technique of painting dye directly onto cloth, was invented in the middle of the Edo era, towards the end of the 17th century. It has since become the ultimate art of kimono dyeing, famous for its use of distinctive and vivid colors seen nowhere else in the world.
Yuzen dyeing’s technical superiority allowed for very precise and thin lines, hard to achieve even with stitch work, as well as beautiful blurs and color gradients. This, in turn, made possible the dyeing of truly Japanese designs and motifs, often a reflection of the people’s admiration for nature and how it changes from season to season. Yuzen dyeing is not only beautiful but also practical: the color is stable and water resistant, a wide range of fabric can be used and their characteristics are retained after dyeing.
Fully hand-made Kyo-yuzen is an extremely complex process, with as many as 26 stages until its completion, which lead to simpler methods such as textile printing and pattern painting. The development of the latter means that anyone can make a beautiful work of art through Kyo-Yuzen.”
For more information, watch the video below: