NIPPON Kichi - 日本吉

Results 1 - 7 of 7 articles          


山口源兵衛　Yamaguchi Genbee　Genbee Yamaguchi

Jp En

[+ADDRESS] Add this to Favorites


束帯　Sokutai　Sokutai

Jp En

Sokutai is the full official dress worn by emperors, aristocrats and courtiers since the Heian Period (794). It is also called Hino-shouzoku.
The word Sokutai, was originally found in the Analects of Confucius, where it meant layered clothes tied with an obi belt and it indicated a full set of dress.
Sokutai consist of a crown, hitoe clothes worn over underwear followed by akome and shitagasane clothes with a long sash called kyo hanging in the back.  Crimson under pants and baggy outer trousers are then added and finally, an outer robe called hou, which is tied with a leather belt containing stone decorations called sekitai.
Sokutai, based on the court uniforms worn by the government officials under the ritsuryo codes, became the full official dress of the Imperial Court. Those who were among military officers, civil officials in Nakatsukasasho who oversaw imperial affairs and aristocrats who held the sangi position or higher and who were granted Imperial permission were allowed to wear a sword. As time passed, sokutai has become more ceremonial, only being worn in special occasions.
There are two kind of the hou outer robe: houeki which the civil officials wore and ketteki which allowed more free movement and was worn by military officials.
Sokutai is traditional and elegant full official wear for the emperor as well as aristocratic and government officials.  
[+ADDRESS] Add this to Favorites


紅型　Bin-gata　Bingata

Jp En

Bingata is an Okinawan traditional paste resist dyeing technique. It was created in the 16th century as a dying process for the clothing of the royalty and the nobles of the Ryukyu Kingdom. Because of this, most of the dye-shops at the time were located around Shuri Castle and protected by the government. Although the word “bin-gata” literally means “red patterns” in Japanese, Bingata is generally multi-colored cloth dyed with various patterned stencil papers.

There are actually two methods of doing Bingata dyeing; “stencil dying” and “cylinder drawing.” In stencil dyeing, the boundaries of the patterns are set with the application of rice-paste resist through a stencil. In cylinder drawing, patterns are hand-drawn through what looks to be a pastry tube.

The bright colors produced by these careful hand processes fascinated the royalty and the nobility of the time. Especially the yellow color created by fukugi (Garcinia subelliptica) was allowed to be used only for the loyal family.

Today, Bingata resist dyed cloth is used not only for clothing but also for many other items such as bags and tapestries, all of which feature an exotic atmosphere of a southern land. Together with Yuzen dyeing, it is one of Japan’s representing dyeing techniques now.
[+ADDRESS] Add this to Favorites


小川規三郎（人間国宝）　Ogawa kisaburou　Kisaburo Ogawa (Living National Treasure)

Jp En

Kisaburo Ogawa was born in November 30, 1936. He is recognized as the holder of the important intangible cultural heritage of kenjyo-hakata-ori and was designated a living national treasure in 2003. Kisaburo Ogawa is also a guest professor of fine art at Kyushu Sangyo University.

Kenjyo-hakata-ori or Hakata weaving dates back 700 years to the Kamakura period. It gets its name because it was a gift bestowed annually by the Kurota clan to the government in the Edo period.

The weaving's trait is the thick-layered fabric and its silky touch, and was mainly used to weave sashes. Although this traditional craft is woven on a loom, the industry faces a dilemma in that there is no successor. The Hakata Weaving Association is making products other than sashes, to keep and develop the tradition. For example, they are making bags and wallets to attract younger people. Mr Ogawa, being a member of the association, works energetically as a panel member in symposiums and gives speeches.
[+ADDRESS] Add this to Favorites


西陣織　Nisijinori　Nishijin Weaving

Jp En

Weaving industry in Kyoto suffered a catastrophic damage by the Onin War (1467). However, when the conflict ended, the weavers returned to Kyoto and resumed their craft of weaving on the site where the western forces had camped during the war. Since then this craft has been called “Nishijin,” which means “the west position.” During the Edo period, takahata (raised loom) was imported from China, which made mon-ori (brocade) using Sakizome yarn (yarn dyed in advance) possible and the Nishijin area became the major textile producing center. In the Meiji period, observers went to France and other European countries to study the textile techniques such as jacquard weaving and succeeded in modernizing the industry, which made the Nishijin Weaving the highest-grade textile of the country. In Nishijin weaving, yarns of various colors are woven to make gorgeous and elaborate patterns. At the present not only traditional obi belts and kimono fabrics but also fabrics used for neckties and kimono accessories are made. Some are even used for interior decoration. Innovative products with modern design are manufactured as well. Up to now, 12 of the techniques are designated as Traditional Craft Products.
[+ADDRESS] Add this to Favorites


若狭めのう　Wakasa Menou　Wakasa Agate Work

Jp En

Wakasa Agate Work, highly regarded internationally, is thought to have originated in the Nara period (710-794AD) when a sea-faring people known as the Wani Tribe entered Onyu, an old village in the Wakasa region of Fukui Pref. They built Wani-Kaido, a road in front of a shrine, which bordered Wakasaichi Buddhist statue, and started producing jade objects.

In the middle of the Edo period (1600-1868), a technique to burn ore and enhance the color of agate was perfected. However it was not until the Meiji period (1868-1912) that the sculptural technique of agate was introduced and perfected as a craft art.

It employs the firing techniques that  are unique to Wakasa agate work and, then, hardened ores that glow with beautiful color are cut and painstakingly polished to create such things as Buddhist statues, animal ornaments, incense burners, plummets for hanging scroll, clips for obi (kimono belt), and broaches.

Wakasa agate work requires incredible proficiency and patience taking a minimum of three years to master the polishing technique and another five or six years to be able to fully work the pieces. The apprenticeship can take up to fifteen years, only then will a craftsman be considered a true artist. However, once mastered, the beauty of the clear delicate gloss can be found nowhere but Wakasa agate.
[+ADDRESS] Add this to Favorites


和風屋　Wafuuya　Wafuuya

Jp En

“Wafuuya” sells goods and modern merchandise that have been reworked from used fabrics and materials such as kimono and obi-belts. Oranku-Koubou is a store in Osaka that started to sell online as “Wafuuya” and has been gaining in popularity all over the country.
The store sells bags as well as interior, home and kitchen-ware. There is a wide range of products that are not stereotypically “Japanese-style, and include maternity passbook cases and room shoes, too. Their modern and elegant designs recall the Taisho romantic style and also look back to the Showa period.
Wafuuya also remakes old kimonos that have passed from generation to generation. By bringing these back to life, it’s possible to create a fascinating and unique look.
[+ADDRESS] Add this to Favorites

Results 1 - 7 of 7 articles          


Articles: 5445
Keywords shuffle
Keywords Search
View history

Linkclub NewsLetter