Card Case [AI] Splash

Author: Mitsuru Kawabe

After graduating from high school, he joined his father's workshop and has been honing his technique of applying itome nori for over 50 years. His outstanding artistry with fine threads is a highlight. Itome nori application, in which glue is applied according to the sketch drawn on the fabric, is a job that connects the design and color. He possesses the artisanal skills unique to Kyo-Yuzen, which is highly specialized in labor. He is a member of the Kyoto Hand-painted Yuzen Cooperative, a traditional craftsman, and recipient of the Kyoto Prefecture Traditional Industry Outstanding Technician Award.

About hand-painted Yuzen

Hand-painted Yuzen is the oldest technique of Yuzen processing, and is one of Kyoto's most representative traditional industries, still passed down to the present day. The dyeing technique was originally hand-painted, but in the early Meiji period, stencil dyeing was developed, and then machine printing techniques were developed. The Kyoto Yuzen industry became increasingly independent with the development of dyeing stencils, and the development of specialization has led to the diversification of techniques for each specialized process.

Leather New Product Development Project

Using leather, a by-product of the Wagyu beef we eat every day, as a new canvas, each craftsman brought their own techniques, including glue application, tube painting, and gold leafing, to work on developing leather items. The theme was "cherry blossoms." Each craftsman interpreted the theme in their own unique way, resulting in items with a variety of different expressions. This will be the catalyst for further new initiatives.