Somemono - Traditional, Dyed Fabrics from Ms. Murata and Mr. Shintani
~Cotton, Linen and Silk Tapestries, Crafted with Natural Dyes~
"The Dive," a silk tapestry by Mr. Shintani
"Two Days Before the Full Moon," a noren, split-curtain tapestry in linen
by Ms. Murata
An Ancient Tradition
Mr. Shintani and Ms. Murata have each spent decades devoting their time to the
craft of somemono, the dyeing of cloth, silk, linen and other materials. They practice
their craft in the traditional way, incorporating dyes from local plants. Ms. Murata
brews indigo dye by stewing clippings from locally grown ao, or indigo, plants to dye her noren, split-curtain tapestries. A
large ceramic urn, placed in a covered area and buried to the brim in the earth, maintains
a constant and proper environment for steeping the indigo leaves. There are only a handful
of people left in Japan who prepare natural indigo dye in the traditional way.
Mr. Shintani is a master kimono and tapestry maker who teaches dyeing at a school
in remote, Western Japan. Like Ms. Murata, the award-winning Mr. Shintani
uses only traditional methods to create his pieces, routinely spending months on a
kimono commission, a stark contrast to the latest fabric printers which can produce
kimonos in minutes. Aware of this constant threat to his tradition, Mr. Shintani
is an earnest teacher of his craft.
Click here to begin browsing Mr. Shintani's works.
Click here to begin browsing Ms. Murata's works.
