Shirataka Tsumugi, a tradition of Shirataka MachiAs we entered the workshop, we saw people adjusting what looked like a press machine. We said hello and asked them what they were. We were told that they were machines that they used to dye thread. We were at Komatsu Orimono Kobo, one of the workshops that manufacture Shirakata Tsumugi, a type of Oitama Tsumugi textile that is designated as an Intangible Cultural Asset by the government. |
Itajime requires fine skillsNorio Komatsu and his son Hiroyuki were at our interview session. |
Technology of the machine and the finesse of natureAfter the strings are wrapped around the boards, they are tightly pressed together by the press machines. Then the dyes are poured over them and the fabric is dyed. This process is called “bukkake zome”, and the dye is poured repeatedly for over an hour. When that’s complete, the entire process is finally done. Nakata asked him why this process is almost extinct, Mr., Komatsu answered “if the boards get too dry, they can crack and warp. It takes a lot of work to take care of the boards and maybe that’s why people quit using this method.” |
ACCESS
- Komatsu Orimono Kobo
- 2200 Juo, Jūō, Shirataka-machi, Nishiokitama-gun, Yamagata Prefecture