Tegaki (hand-painted) Yuzen Experience taught by「Somekoubou (dyeing workshop) Masashige」's Kyo-Yuzen Artisan

Contents of Experience

It is recommended to those who love drawing, or those who are interested in the world of the beautiful and delicate Kyo-Yuzen. From over 20 procedures that are taken to make Kyo-Yuzen you are able to experience a portion, such as the processes of "Itomenori Oki", "Irosashi (Coloring)", "Mizumoto (Washing)," under the kind guidance of Uenaka-san. The completed Yūzen-zome can be used as a table centerpiece or as an interior.

1. 

   Learn the basics of Kyo-Yuzen

   Firstly, you will be taught about the basics of Kyo-Yuzen and Yūzen-zome. With Kyo-Yuzen consisting of over 20 procedures, division of labor is the norm. However, Uenaka-san is a rare artisan that does all the procedures from the sketching to the completion on his own.

2. 

   Choosing the design of the sketch

   Those who do not have confidence in their artistic skills, do not worry. During this workshop, you will be doing the Irosashi (coloring) process by tracing the sketch that Uenaka-san has prepared beforehand. Firstly, select your preferred design from among these 3: arabesque (sakura, chrysanthemum), sakura.

3. 

   Placing the Itomenori (only a portion)

   The key to making the beautiful colors and patterns of Kyo-yuzen is the process of "Itomenori" which makes use of glutinous rice as the main raw material. By placing the Itomenori glue on the sketch, it creates a barrier between the colors, which prevents the colors from bleeding into each other.

4. 

   Starting the Irosashi (coloring process)

   We will now use a brush to paint colors onto the design that has been placed with the itomenori. The cloth is supported by a tool called shinshi, which is then dried over a hibachi (Japanese charcoal brazier). This artisan experience will definitely make you excited.

5. 

   Getting the design done

   By referring to the coloring sample and painting in the color, we slowly get the design done. The arabesque design requires a detailed color combination, whereas the sakura design requires blurring techniques on certain portions. The difference in feature according to the designs is also appealing.

6. 

   Fixing in the color

   After the coloring process is done, the fabric is completely dried over the hibachi and then ironed. In this workshop, the pigment is fixed in by the heat from the iron so immediately after we can proceed to the completion process.

7. 

   Washing the fabric with water

   After fixing in the color, a washing procedure called Mizumoto is done. The fabric is soaked into water, removing the itomenori that was placed in the earlier process. This process of Yuzen Nagashi used to be carried out at the Kamo River

8. 

   Adding the final touches and completion

   By adding arrangements to the fabric, you can make a Yūzen-zome product! You can use it as a table centerpiece, lunch mat, or put it in a frame to make it an interior decoration. Because it is handmade by yourself, you will feel a special attachment to it.