THE STORY 22 SPRING SUMMER

Arimatsu of Aichi Prefecture, renowned as the origin of tie-dye from 400 years ago. During the Edo period the area flourished, those traveling along the Tokaido road purchasing tie-dyed hand towels and yukata as souvenirs.

The use of various tools such as needles, threads, and boards gives room to devise the strength, shade or the dye, painting various patterns. Combining simple tools and unique skills brings about the ‘Arimatsu Shibori’, with over 100 patterns.

Early morning, thick fog spreads in front and in the distance, flowers create a pale scenery. To express the transient gradation, a thin wooden stick 2cm in diameter was used. Reinterpreting itajime, a technique used last season, this time instead of tightly tying the fabric, fabrics were gently sandwiched between the sticks. Pouring different colors of spring, created layers of fuzz.

‘Arimatsu Shibori’ is originally known for dyeing its patterns clearly. However, this time the unique skilled technique was applied to express the fuzzy beauty captured in nature’s scenery.

As the Arimatsu Shibori craftsman says, ‘Design that makes use of techniques, technique that makes use of design.

A design that purposely allows the dye to run, and new tools and techniques developed to make it happen. Only with the detailed knowledge of tradition and techniques, can this modern communication be created, a gradation pattern that symbolizes this collection.