"Tokyo Yuzen": Reflection of modern and adult elegance

"Yuzen" is dyed goods with picturesque expressions. Together with "Kyo Yuzen" and "Kaga Yuzen," Tokyo Yuzen is known as a representative of Yuzen dyeing. It is also called as "Tokyo Tegaki Yuzen" or "Edo Yuzen," communicating the elegant dye culture enjoyed by the upper class in the Edo era to the present age.
Tokyo Yuzen was supposed to have appeared during the Kasei period in the 1800's. Daimyos from various countries brought their personal dye craftsmen who settled in Edo, leading to propagation of Yuzen dyeing
It is said that Tokyo Yuzen is fashionable, with many urbanized and modern works.
With "Tegaki Yuzen," in particular, dye-proof pastes, pens and brushes are used to dye as if drawing pictures. Motifs can be expressed as intended by dye craftsmen. Value as art works also increases by expressing in combination of techniques including embroidery, tie-dye and impressed gold foil.

"Edo Bingata" incorporating a method from Okinawa, a southern country

"Bingata" is a traditional dye craft born in Okinawa. There are various theories but it is believed to have begun approximately in the 14th-15th Century. It is sometimes called as "Okinawa Bingata" or "Ryukyu Hon-bingata." During the time of Ryukyu Dynasty, kimono with Bingata-dyeing was permitted only for the royal family and clans to wear, and production was severely controlled by the royal family.
"Edo Bingata" was created with excellent pattern dyeing techniques in Edo by incorporating these colors and designs unique to Okinawa Bingata. Its characteristics include clear embossing of design outlines, unlike elegant "Tokyo Yuzen" with gradation as well as plain and fashionable "Edo Komon." The finish of overall design presents sharply-tightened appearance by describing a three-dimensional expression with techniques such as bordering of design outlines and gradation in bordered designs using a unique method called “shade-off."

"Tokyo Mujizome" expressing simple but unique fashion

Plain dyeing is the most essential in dyeing. The dye culture began from dyeing with colors extracted from plants in the ancient days. This technique is the most primitive, called "dip dyeing."
"Edo Zome Murasaki" is representative of plain dyeing in the Edo era. It widely spread to merchants in Edo, since "Sukeroku" played by Danjuro Ichikawa, the very famous Kabuki actor, used it as a headband.
"Tokyo Mujizome" is a traditional handicraft designated by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Plain colors are able to bring out the fashion of wearers at maximum. Females who enjoy kimono by coordinating belts or small articles are increasing.