2021/05/06 16:29
What is Katagami?
It would ordinarily be said that a paper stencil used for decorating textiles is not in itself a work of art.
It is a mechanical device by means of which a work of art is produced, but it need hardly be said that its quality determines the quality of the final product. Stencils have an intriguing attraction, created by monochromatic impact of their silhouettes. They required the work of highly skilled craftsmen with both good technical training and a refined artistic sense.
Paper stencils(Katagami) are stencils for dyeing made from Japanese paper(Washi) waterproofed with persimmon tannin(kakishibu) on which patterns are carved. They are used in the application of designs to cloth on which small figures(Edokomon) are dyed, printed silk(Yuzen), and light cotton cloth for kimonos.
Their history is long, with stencil dyeing(katazome) done in the kamakura period(1185-1333) employing the same techniques that are used today.
We hope this oppotunity will intorduce to you the elegance and beauty of these stencils which were indispensable aids in the production of the textile arts.
[ About Edo komon ]
Edo komon that samurai cultures created pattern of kimonos.
We introduce about Katagami, necessary to intorduce about Edo komon before.
Edo komon is one of the dyeing technique of kimono.
Please see the following pictures, it looks like unpatterned kimono from a distance.
But you see it in the short distance, you can see very delicately pattern on kimono.
It was not smart that a luxurious living and clothes were for the samurai.
Because Edo komon was an ultimate smart dresser for a samurai(bushi).
Edo komon is produced by the collaboration between craftsman of a stencil maker(Katabori) and craftsman of kimono dying.
About Kouzou Yada
Kouzou Yada (Stencil Paper Carver) Born 1955, Kouzou chose to follow in his fathers footsteps and become a third generation Stencil Paper artist.
In 2003, he was certified as a master of traditional craftsman by Katsushika Ward Office.
