A Thousand Years of Timeless Beauty
ISEKATAGAMI is a traditional craft from Mie Prefecture with a history of over a thousand years. During the Muromachi period, it played a vital role in supporting kimono culture. In the 19th century, it was introduced to Europe by Philipp Franz von Siebold, where it went on to influence Impressionist painters and decorative arts.
ISEKATAGAMI is a traditional craft in which intricate patterns are hand-carved into washi paper reinforced with persimmon tannin (kakishibu), then used to dye fabric with detailed designs. When held up to the light, the stencils reveal breathtaking patterns—functional tools that possess the beauty of fine art.
The dyeing process using ISEKATAGAMI is a technique infused with the warmth and texture of handcrafted work. Artisans carefully align 38 cm-wide stencils to create continuous patterns across long bolts of fabric. As the resist paste protects parts of the fabric from dye, intricate designs gradually emerge—revealing a vivid expression of Japanese aesthetics.
Using a small blade, artisans carve intricate patterns—ranging from natural motifs like flowers and birds to precise geometric designs—into washi paper. This delicate craft can involve cutting up to 100 tiny holes within a single square centimeter, a level of precision made possible only through intense focus and years of mastery.