About Arimatsu-Shibori

Arimatsu originated from a village settled in 1608 along the Tokaido Highway from Tokyo(then called Yedo) to Kyoto. People in the village were all engaged in some way or other in the production of dappled cotton cloth(called “shibori”) and sold white-spotted towels to travelers coming and going along the road.
The technique of dappling cloth has since been inherited and is well known as one of Japan’s oldest forms of industry. Arimatsu dappled fabrics, all produts of handicraft, are rich beyond comparison in the variety of dappling patterns. There are more then 100 patterns, with “Kanoko” and “Miura” among them.
Dapples made by cottage workers count between 50,000 and 200,000 for one pattern of “Kimono.” It therefore takes between 4 and 6 months to complet the dappled cloth for one “Kimono”.
The technique itself wants such a skilled experience that full 3 years are requird for fundamental training. Among experts are those who continue the practice for more than 60 years. Since Arimatsu has devoted itself to the production of the dappled fabrics for the past 380 years, most houses engaged in the home industry still stand intact along the old highway. This results in a community of commercial houses which hold a special position in the history of Japanese architecture.

CHARACTERISTICS OF ARIMATSU - SHIBORI

[Handicrafted Products]

All shibori is handmade; therefore, even if the pattern is the same, the degree of ability of the craftsperson or the subtlety of the dyeing process will produce differences in the finished material.
The craftpersons are, respectively, specialists according to the varieties of shibori such as kanoko, miura, kumo shibori, etc. It is by means of these several specialists working together that a piece of shibori cloth can be produced.

[Specialization System]

The goods are all finished completely by a process of specialization as follows: shibori manufacture and wholesale (manufacture planning) desing, pattern engraving, pattern printing, shibori processing, dyeing, pulling out the thread and adjuctment.
Diversity of kinds of Processing

Created and invented over a period of 380 years, the types of shibori proceccing methods come to 100, making a priceless cultural treasute of the art of shobori.

[Touch]

A shibori pattern is three - dimensional. Yukata fabric does not adhere to the skin and adds color to the Japanese summer.

[Dyeing]

Cotton shibori, which began as indigo dyeing, while continuing to be affected by the influence of tradition, is today proud of the quality of its dyed product.

[nui shibori] embroidery shibori	[kumo shibori] spiderweb shibori	[miura shibori] small dotted shibori
[kanoko shibori] dappled fawn shibori	[arashi shibori] storm shibori	[makiage shibori] rolled shibori