01 KURUME KASURI 久留米絣 - Japanese ikat / Traditional technique (hand weaving, natural indigo dye)

KURUME KASURI - Japanese ikat / Traditional technique (hand weaving, natural indigo dye)
久留米絣の工程 / 藍染手織り（伝統的な技法）
●About "Kurume kasuri" / 久留米絣について
"Kurume kasuri" is a traditional cotton textile with 200 years of history, woven in Chikugo area of Southern Fukuoka. "Kasuri" is a Japanse tie-dye technique equivalent to "ikat", which creates patterns by partially binding the yarn before dyeing and weaving. It is considered to be a technique originated in India, and came to Japan in the early 15th century through Okinawa, and spread to mainland Japan including Kurume. There are still about 30 Kurume kasuri weavers in the area, and they are all unique in style.
福岡県南部、筑後地域に残る織物の文化は多様です。200年ほど前にはじまった久留米­絣の技法はikatと呼ばれ、インド発祥の技術と言われています。１４００年頃に沖縄に上陸し、本土に渡って来ました。久留米では１８００年前半から始まったといわれています。現在は３０件ほどの織元が残り、それぞれ特色を出しながら生産を続けています。
This video features Mr. Takeshi Yamamura's Aizome Kasuri Atelier, who specializes in natural indigo dyed, hand-woven kasuri.
この動画は、伝統的な藍染手織りの技法で作っている、藍染絣工房の山村健さんの工房を取材したものです。
Video made by Unagi-no-Nedoko, a local shop and brand introducing arts and crafts in Northern Kyushu: unagino-nedoko.net
詳細は福岡・八女のアンテナショップ「うなぎの寝床」へ：unagino-nedoko.net
For those who wish to participate in a Textile Craft Experience with Kurume Kasuri artisans, click here!
en.unalabs.jp/tourism/gfck03/

[@suzannecooke2055]

I've dyed with indigo. I am awed that he can do all the steps without getting on his clothing or his hands. Truly a ,aster dyer!

[@unagino-nedoko]

Yes indeed!!! He has a beautiful flow to his work.

[@dwalsh8628]

Who know how incredibly intensive this process was? Beautiful

[@unagino-nedoko]

Thank you for your comment!

[@stitchlightly5995]

this is so calming to watch.

[@Wildevis]

Wow that is impressive getting the little ties in the correct place to block the Indigo dye so that the white spots are in the correct place in the weave!! Precision work

[@unagino-nedoko]

Yes definitely!! It takes so much time and effort. Thank you for your comment!

[@user-hu3ug2xu5l]

いくつもの過程と大変な労力で、日本の誇り、ジャパンブルーが生まれるのですね💖✨

[@Timothylaing]

A brave man in cream chinos! 😁

[@raresmircea]

Beautiful video 🤘

[@FujitheChef]

Love the video!

[@unagino-nedoko]

Thank you!!

[@prar7450]

A lovely and relaxing video.

[@unagino-nedoko]

Thank you very much!

[@asifalijan190]

I like video and i very missed your company

[@daunsimbukan]

😍

[@teinthun6435]

Really nice, what are the mixture of that dye. You are playing with your bare hand with all that wet yarn still cant see any mark on your hand.

[@yaaapeadu9049]

I think he really wrings all the water out, so the yarn is not damp, hence no transfer of the dye

[@Jabez525]

What do they do with the water after they wash the yarn?

[@unagino-nedoko]

It depends on the workshop but usually they go through water purification tanks.

[@zublu7564]

Is the temperature of the vats regulated? If so what temperature are they kept at and how is it achieved?

[@unagino-nedoko]

Yes it must be regulated all year around 20-25℃. This is why it the vats are planted inside the "doma (soil)" floor which keeps the temperature low and stable during the hot summer. In the winter, they heat the vats by placing "haze (a type of natural wax)" extracts in the little hole in the middle of four vats and fires them in low temperature.

[@markelderkin9935]

Deep gassho!

[@TraphouseTCG]

Does this not work for anyone else?

[@unagino-nedoko]

I hope it's working now!

[@agentm43]

hi! does anyone know where i can buy these ceramic vats?

[@DAYBROK3]

Michael Masterson just a guess here but maybe in Japan?

[@frisbeephil]

Michael Masterson, are you still interested in these vats? I live and work in Idaho and can make things like this. My kiln will allow for around 28-30 inches in diameter and around 40 inches deep. They will not be easy or inexpensive but such is custom , large pieces.

[@unagino-nedoko]

Many of these vats are made in Tokushima, from a ceramic production area called Otani-yaki.

[@zunairashoaib3399]

If I come to Okinawa can I work here?

[@unagino-nedoko]

This is in Fukouka (south of Japan) :)

[@unagino-nedoko]

We have launched an extensive "Textile Craft Experience" learning the traditional technique from the Kurume Kasuri artisans! Click here for more info ! en.unalabs.jp/tourism/gfck03/ 久留米絣の伝統的な技法を丸ごと学べるマニアックな体験プログラムをリリースしました！ 詳細はこちら：unalabs.jp/tourism/gfck03/

[@anitapeura3517]

A critical part of this process would have been the placement of the ties that create the resist (the white areas of the yarn) - this must have been done knowing the eventual weave pattern to be used. This part was not shown here and leaves weavers like me still in the dark about how the ikat pattern is created, while understanding the general principle. Is this commercial-in-confidence? After several centuries of ikat weaving across Asia? Lovely to watch, but leaves out a really important part of the whole process, which is disappointing and frustrating.

[@kod8104]

There is a second video in the series which shows more of the design of the warp and weft yarns and the tying of the resist wraps kzbin.info/www/bejne/l2jFqYqtrJh0iJo. I think the weave structure for traditional kasuri is simply a plain weave. And there is also this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/eprMZJSvp5KMrq8 which goes into more detail

[@anitapeura3517]

@@kod8104 Thanks for those tips! I'll take a good look.

[@nathanhitt8229]

no video

[@unagino-nedoko]

I hope it's working now!