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Shibori-zome is a simple method of dyeing, also known as “tie-dye,” that creates patterns by putting pressure on cloths. Specifically, parts of cloths are tied up with yarns, which will remain undyed, forming specific patterns. The thickness of the yarn and the colors that are used to dye affect the outcome design, color, and roughness, and therefore, works of shibori-zome are all unique to each other.

It is known that the process of shibori-zome originates from China or India. It has a very long history in Japan as well, as works of shibori-zome can be seen in Shosoin and Horyuji Temple in Nara Prefecture, which is built in the 8th century. However, during this period, shibori-zome’s status wasn’t high and the design was never used within the high society. Shibori-zome was further developed during the Muromachi and Azuchi-Momoyama periods, as craftsmen developed new dyeing methods such as the “tsujigahana-zome,” which was very complex in process.

However, as “yuzen” was introduced during the Edo period, the complicated and time-consuming “tsujiigahana-zome” gradually disappeared. Though many works of shibori-zome were produced during the Meiji period, the activity diminished in size after the war period as the economy experienced depression. Kyoto and Arimatsu are the main production areas for shibori-zome now.

Nitomi is a brand producing products that incorporate the designs of shibori-zome. The Tie-Dye Gamaguchi and the Tie-Dye Book Cover come in 7 types of tie-dye and 7 types of substrate, all truly unique and beautiful in appearance and texture. You may separately choose the designs for the inside and outside layer of the gamaguchi, while you may combine designs of shibori-zome and substrate for the book cover. How about incorporating the pleasing designs of shibori-zome within your everyday life?

NITOMI's Tie-Dye Gamaguchi
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nitomi/gamaguti.html
NITOMI's Tie-Dye Book Cover
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nitomi/book.html

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Bamboo has been a material essential in the Japanese lifestyle. If one dissembles the Japanese traditional houses into different components, one may notice that bamboo is utilized in almost every one of the components, including the ceiling, walls, and blinds. Daily necessities such as baskets, sieves, and vases; the various tools used for tea ceremony and flower arrangement; the many traditional instruments such as Japanese flutes and shakuhachis; and martial arts tools such as bamboo swords and bows are all made out of bamboos. Among 1300 types of bamboos that exist in the world, 600 types of bamboos are founded in Japan. These strong and mysterious plants were respected by ancient Japanese and were often used in festivals and religious services. Since then, Japanese have been cherishing bamboos and incorporating them into their living in various forms. Thus, bamboo played a central role in establishing the Japanese culture.

Today, different parts of the bamboo are used for different purposes. For instance, the leaves are used to make tea or to create Chinese medicines, the bamboo sheaths are used for packing or as feed, and the cane is used for both industrial and cultural purposes. Bamboo lives for about 20 years, growing at a very high rate, and those with thick canes are thought to live longer. Flowers of bamboo bloom and fall all at once, and since the phenomenon seemed so pathologic, it was long known as the “bloom disease”, though it isn’t a disease.

Nishikawanobori Takezaiku’s Kometogizaru is carefully made of bamboo. The surface is made to be smooth as to not crush the rice grains, while it is finely intertwined to allow users to quickly and easily wash rice. The simple structure of the Sobazaru allows users to not only use it as a sieve for soba but also as a tool to make udon and mugikiri, as well as a drainer for vegetables. The traditional goods would well express the Japanese culture, both visually and by touch.

Nishikawanobori Takezaiku’s Kometogizaru
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nishikawanobori/kome.html
Nishikawanobori Takezaiku’s Sobazaru
https://www.shokunin.com/en/nishikawanobori/soba.html