Aizu Style x Upcycling

June 19, 2024

■ A collaboration to connect the traditional craft of " Aizu-gata " in Kitakata City, an artistic city where "creativity" and "craftsmanship" lie, to the next generation

"Aizu-gata" refers to dyed stencil paper produced in Kitakata, Fukushima Prefecture from the end of the Edo period to the early Showa period, and was distributed throughout the Tohoku region. The process of dyeing fabric using stencil paper to create patterns is called "katazome," and Kitakata was one of the production centers of dyed stencil paper, along with Ise Shirako, Kyoto, and Edo. The paper is made from locally produced washi paper, persimmon tannins, and water, and patterns are carved into the paper with a carving knife, then intricate patterns are added using indigo dyeing, etc. At the time, it was widely popular as a fashion for the common people, such as kimonos and yukatas.

Due to the spread of Western clothing and the development of printing technology, the tradition came to a halt around 1935. However, the high quality of the designs and the intricate craftsmanship of the stencil carvers have earned it recognition, and it is now designated as a tangible folk cultural property of Fukushima Prefecture and Kitakata City.

■ Creating "Upcycled Aizu-gata" using upcycled paper thread " TSUMUGI "

In this context, a collaboration has been realised between the "TSUMUGI" project and Dyeing and Weaving Studio Renga, which is working to preserve and promote the "Aizu-gata" style of craftsmanship in Kitakata City, to pass on traditional techniques and the global environment to the next generation.

While following the traditional designs and techniques preserved in the Aizu style, "TSUMUGI" fabrics are "stencil-dyed" to create designs that are easy to incorporate into modern life, such as the "Akabeko" dolls that are widely loved in the Tohoku region. In addition, to reinforce the fabric and protect against the cold, we have also produced products with traditional patterns using "sashiko," a technique unique to the Tohoku region. The appeal is in the designs, which have the character of handiwork and the gentle warmth of indigo. Each piece is filled with the craftsman's passion, adding new color to our lives.

■Product photos

Handkerchief towel (sashiko)

Size: 25cm x 25cm

Sales price: 1,490 yen (tax included)