Overview: Arimatsu Tie Dyeing, also known as Shibori, came from China in the 8th century. This new technique from China created waves and was implemented into Kimono shortly after being brought to Japan. During this period of time, the Tokugawa Shogunate was the ruling power across Japan. This period of time was peaceful, and led to lots of artistic development across Japan. Two types of Shibori were then created, one for folk people, and their day to day lives, and another to suit the higher class of Japanese royalty in Shibori based Kimono. The reason it is called Arimatsu Tie Dyeing, is because Arimatsu is the town that created most of the techniques created today. This is because a feudal lord named Tokugawa Ieyasu, created a castle in Arimatsu and builders from Bungo brought the technique along with them (1610-1614). This time was convenient for Ieyasu because a man by the name of Shokuro Takeda and seven other households created cotton farms in the Arimatsu area (1608). This led to Iesayu having a business idea of creating Shibori, and it was a hit. Their first products were towels, and these intricately created towels with new designs that were sold to passerby merchants created a spark that led to the town growing to 15 families and by 1633, the town became fully immersed in Shibori. Ever since then, Arimatsu has been cemented in Japanese history as the innovator of Shibori. Now 400 years later, lineage from the starters of this process carry it on. Creating Kimono, Yukata, and other japanese clothing, and home decor. There are over 100 different types of shibori methods. Miura Shibori is a type of shibori that came from the wife of one of the Bungo men that came in 1610 to help build the castle. Kumo Shibori which is woven in a spider web like pattern that is beautiful to me. Nui Shibori which is traditional sewing and tie dyeing. And, Sekka Shibori, which is just flower patterns. In 1872 a man by the name of Takeda Kahei created Takeda Kahei Shouten shop, which sold these garments at amazing quality, and really was the first one to market it to a massive scale. Now, the shop is still family owned, created only for the purpose of Shibori.
Process: First a design is placed onto a piece of paper, which is the blueprint for the final look of the garment. Then the fabric is steamed and starched so that a printer is able to add the print to the garment. When the knotting of the shibori is done, then the print is washed away with water. Silk threads are used to tie the shibori into place, different tools are used to create such effects, these range from balls, to sheets of wood. Traditionally a woman does the job of tying the knots. A Someya dyes the fabric, and places it into the indigo vat of dye. This process is done up to 50 times to create the desired color. First starting out as green, the dye oxidizes as it goes on to create a deep indigo color. Then threads are removed afterwards, and the fabric shrinks, which then it is steamed, placed onto a roll, and then it is ready to be created into a beautiful garment.
Images: KogeiJapan, takeda_kahei_official, shibori-kaikan.com
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The reason why I make these articles is because I am infatuated by the craftsmanship that these Artisans have. Now, everyone wants their stuff instantly, one day shipping, that instant satisfaction. What also drives me to make these posts is the beauty behind "mundane" things.
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