Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
colours) before being hung out to dry. Every year in mid-August this ritual is re-enacted
and the fabrics flap in the wind like rows of vibrant banners.
During the turbulent civil wars of the 15th century, Kyoto's weavers congregated into a
textiles quarter near Kitano-Tenman-gū Shrine called Nishijin (literally, 'Western Camp').
The industry was revamped during the Edo period and the popularity of Nishijin work-
manship endured through the Meiji Restoration.
Kyoto is also famed for techniques in stencil-dyeing
(kyō-komon)
and tie-dyeing
(kyō-
kanoko shibori)
.
Kyō-komon
(
komon
means 'small crest') gained notoriety in the 16th
and 17th centuries, particularly among warriors who ordered the adornment of both their
armour and kimono, through the stencilling of highly geometric designs onto fine silk
with vibrant colours. Typically the patterns incorporate flowers, leaves and other flora.
At the other end of the refined, courtly spectrum,
aizome
(the technique of dyeing fab-
rics in vats of fermented indigo plants) gave Japan one of its most distinctive colours.
Used traditionally in making hardy work clothes for the fields, Japan's beautiful indigo-
blue can still be seen in many modern-day textile goods.
Together with Kyoto-dyed fabrics
(kyō-zome)
, Nishijin weaving (Nishijin-
ori
) is in-
ternationally renowned and dates to the founding of the city. Nishijin techniques were ori-
ginally developed to satisfy the demands of the nobility who favoured the quality of illus-
trious silk fabrics. Over time new methods were adopted by the Kyoto weavers and they
began to experiment with materials such as gauze, brocade, damask, satin and crepe. The
best known Nishijin style is the exquisite
tsuzure
- a tightly woven tapestry cloth pro-
duced with a hand loom
(tebata)
- on which detailed patterns are preset.
Nishijin's fine silk fabrics and embroidery. The museum has two halls which display some
decent, if touristy, displays on Nishijin-ori, including a demonstration loom, a shop selling
Nishijin items and occasional kimono fashion shows.
If you'd like to purchase a kimono or an
obi
(kimono sash), you will find the best prices
Dolls
Among the finest of Japan's handcrafted dolls
(ningyō)
are Kyoto's
kyō-ningyō
. Elaborate
in detail and dressed in fine brocade fabrics, they date from the Heian period and their ex-
quisite costumes reflect the taste and styles of that aristocratic time.
