 three-dimensional form and characteristic yet unique color pallet. A ?Shibori scarf? doesn?t look like a cloth at a first glance. Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten produces ?Shiborizome?, a traditional tie dye technique, with a completely new approach. The company was established in 1915 as a wholesale manufacturing firm of Shibori kimono and celebrates its 96th anniversary this year.
Shiborizome is a dying technique. It is said that this technique was invented spontaneously in many parts of the world including Japan. Japanese people have been using tie dye techniques since around one thousand and several hundreds years ago. Some of the oldest Shiborizome fabric was discovered in Horyuji, built 1400 years ago, and Shosoin, build 1250 years ago.
Shiborizome is accomplished by binding parts of fabric tightly and then dying it in that state. As the ties will prevent the entire fabric from being dyed, dye is applied to only parts of fabric, creating interesting patterns. After the dying process, ?Yunoshi? will get rid of wrinkles from ties and flatten the fabric. Even after the finishing process, the fabric will have small bumps or unevenness. This is the main feature and unique texture of Shiborizome.
Japanese Shibori techniques have progressed uniquely. Kyoto?s Shibori features characteristically detailed and delicate patterns even among all other tie dye techniques. Shibori kimono is a luxury item as it is only possible to make through repetitious hours of tying, a process which demands a lot of patience. It was even forbidden when the Edo bakufu government imposed a ban on living luxuries. However, Shibori never stopped fascinating people and has made come back in recent years. Shiborizome requires many processes to finish and each of them requires the hands of specialized craftsmen. Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten is in charge of planning and designing of their products. As people from the company are born and grown up in the traditional Kyoto, all the products will have a refined taste that is representative of Kyoto.
In 1991, ?Ran mu?, a Shibori fabric put in between glass, won the first prize at Made in Kyoto Best Design Award. It was then the company seized the opportunity to break new ground in Shiborizome. Nevertheless, they are not the only ones to challenge new things. Many other traditional companies in Kyoto are also working on new ideas while they keep their original identities.
Maintaining the attitude of the traditional company, Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten keep striving to develop new products in new fields like interior and fashion to take Shiborizome to the next stage. For example, they skip Yunoshi, a flattening process, to keep wrinkles from ties and leave the fabric surface bumpy and uneven, in order to create a three-dimensional form which doesn?t look like a usual fabric. Products like scarves, necklaces, bracelets and lampshades, which make good use of these characteristics, are popular sellers at the shop. Because the dying process uses traditional Kimono dye and dying method, the products look new yet refined and elegant. Katayama Bunzaburo Shoten offers only handmade products, which means all products are one of a kind. Experience new innovation using a traditional Shiborizome and discover a new dimension of Japanese culture. |
| |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
| Even bold colors look elegant as they use Kimono dye. |
|
Arranged to interior decoration.
A lampshade, one of the shop?s best sellers. |
|
The sophisticated shop located in the renovated Machiya house. |
|
| |
 |
 |
|
TEL: +81-(0)75-221-2666 FAX: +81-(0)75-221-3939
Address: 221 Hashi benkei-cho, Takoyakushi dori Karasuma nishi iru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Available Language: English, Japanese
Website: http://bunzaburo.com/
Credit cards: VISA, MASTER, Diners Club, American Express, DC, etc. |
|
|
|
Back to List
