The relationship between safflower and YamagataYamagata and Safflower are deeply related . Every July, they hold the Safflower festival in Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture, and the national sports competition held in 1992 was dubbed the Benibana (safflower) Games. Safflowers originated in Egypt. It got to Japan in about the 4th century through the Silk Road. Then they gradually spread throughout Japan, and by the Azuchi- Momoyama period, they came to be valued for dyeing along with indigo, madder and gromwell root. |
“Benimochi”, used in lipstick”The weather has to be hot in the summer, cold in the winter, and hot and humid during the rainy season to early summer. That kind of climate is needed for good flowers to bloom.” the dyeing artist Takao Suzuki told us. He was born to a family of dyers, and was trained in places like Kyoto when he was young. After coming back to Yamagata, he established himself in the dyeing business, but when the Benibana Games were held, he was requested by the regional government of Kahoku to revive safflower dyeing and started his research in the field. |
No end to dyeingStill, the textile dyed by “benimochi” is more brilliant than items dyed any other way. In addition, it has a subtle scent that makes you appreciate the quality. “You use good materials, put in the work you need to put in, and you get a good product.” Says Suzuki. As he taught himself how to dye with safflower, he made many discoveries. One of the major discoveries he made is that you get better colors when you combine natural things. |
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- Safflower Dyeing - Suzumasa
- 1-13 Midoricho, Kahoku-chō, Nishimurayama-gun, Yamagata-Prefecture