Shibori is one of the oldest indigo fabric dyeing techniques (practiced for around 1300 years) in Japan. The technique was influenced by Chinese fabric dyeing. Initially, during feudal times, hemp clothing was popular among the lower class; dyeing their clothing gave their clothes new life. During the 17th to 19th century, shibori became popular among the upper class who began to wear dyed silk. The traditional art spread throughout Japan, and the practice began to differ from region to region. Asamai shibori is the indigo cloth dyeing art originating in the Asamai district of Akita Prefecture.
It was believed that Yokote had rich resources of spring water that led to the popularity of dye stores in the area. At the same time, in the Edo period, in Asamai, cotton was produced. Asamai craftsmen began to add dye to the cotton, which ultimately led to the creation of Asamai Shibori. Regarding its history, Asamai shibori was presented in the Edo and middle of Meiji period, but disappeared during the Taisho period and came back after the war but disappeared again. In order to maintain traditional art, the 浅舞絞りの保存会 was created in 1981 and is still active today.
Today, Asamai Shibori is used for t-shirts, kimonos, and also for the clothing of Nishimonai Bon Dance in Ugo town.
It was believed that the technique of Asamai Shibori derived from Aichi prefecture which derived from Bungo region in Kyushu. Using the dyeing technique and the cotton in Asamai, craftsmen are able to produce Asamai Shibori. The materials and the technique allow high artistic flexibility, resulting in 200 different Shibori designs.
An interview about Asamai Shibori (Japanese Only)
Overview of Asamai Shibori (Japanese Only)
To enjoy the experience, Asamai Shibori Aizome Preservation Society and Asamai Women’s Association Shibori Club offer workshops on Asamai Shibori.
The fee for one person to make a handkerchief is 2,000 yen; please make a reservation 10 days ahead.
Estimated time for the experience will be 180 minutes.
Telephone: 0182-24-2266
How to get there
Address:
Sunagoda-37 Hirakamachi Taruminai, Yokote, Akita 013-0104
Travel Time From Akita Station: more than 2 hr 30 min
Price:
There is limited availability of purchasing Asamai Shibori items. This is the price for the workshop, with a charge of 2,000 yen per person.
How to purchase
Only workshop is available, check the current activities section.
Photos by Tohoku Digital Archive
淺舞紮染
在橫手市平鹿町淺舞,自古以來流傳著一種被稱為「NARUMI」的紮染技術。
相傳「NARUMI」就是在江戶時代初期,這種技術已被傳到了尾張(愛知縣)的有松,並且是傳給有松鳴海地區的一種基本技術,名稱是三浦紮染。
根據寺田家族的傳統,自天保年間(一八三〇~一八四四)開始經營染料店和棉花經銷商,在滿足提高棉花產量,棉花經銷商和染料店的出現,以及豐富的泉水等各種條件齊備之下引入了紮染技術,而淺舞紮染是透過在一般藍染中添加圖案染色而誕生的。據說是在江戶時代末期。
據說淺舞紮染的深藍紮染與白紮染的圖案約多達兩百種,作為代表性之物,有柳紮染、七紮染、丹平紮染等。由於生活方式的改變以及化學纖維和染料的發展,淺舞紮染是在大正時代消失的,於昭和五十七年(一九八二)開始有了『正藍淺舞紮染保存會』,目的在保存並普及紮染技術。
Asamai Shibori
The Asamai district has a traditional resist-dyeing technique called Narumi. Narumi is said to be handed down to Arimatsu in Owari (today’s Aichi prefecture) in the early Edo period and has been passed down under Miura Shibori’s name in Arimatsu/Narumi district as a basic dyeing technique. According to the Terada family, which has run a dyeing shop and cotton goods dealing business since 1830, the Shibori technique was introduced to places with high cotton production, a high number of cotton goods dealers and dyeing shops, and rich spring water. In Asamai, the conventional Japanese indigo dye and printing techniques were combined to create Asamai Shibori. There were about 200 types of Asamai Shibori patterns with deep blue and white colors; for example, Yanagi Shibori looks like willow-leaf patterns. Asamai Shibori disappeared in the Taisho era due to changes in lifestyle and the development of chemical fibers and dyes. However, the Shoai Asamai Shibori Preservation Society was formed in 1982 and is currently engaged in preserving and spreading the Shibori technique.
아사마이 시보리
요코테시 히라카 마치의 아사마이 지역에는 「나루미」라는 방염 기법이 옛부터 전해지고 있다.
「나루미」는, 에도 시대 초기에 오와리(아이치현)의 아리마쓰에게 전해졌다고하는 기법으로, 미우라 시보리의 명칭으로 아리마쓰・나루미 지방에 전승되고 있는 기본적인 기법의 하나이다.
천보 연간 (1830~ 1844)에서 염색 가게와 무명 상업을 영위하고 있던 데라 가문의 전승에 의하면, 목화 생산량 향상, 무명상이나 염색 가게의 출현, 풍부한 용수 등의 여러 조건을 갖추고 있었던 곳에 시보리 기법이 도입되면서, 기존의 쪽빛 염색에 무늬 박기 염색이 더해져 아사마이 시보리가 태어났다. 에도 시대 말기 무렵이라고 보여지고 있다.
아사마이 시보리라고 불리워진 남색 시보리와 화이트 시보리의 모양은 약 이백 종에 이르렀다고 한다. 그 대표적인 것으로서는 예를 들어, 버드나무 잎 무늬처럼 보인다고 하는 야나기 시보리 등이 있다. 아사마이 시보리는 생활 양식의 변화와 화학 섬유와 화학 염료의 발달로 다이쇼 시대에 사라졌지만, 쇼와 57년 (1982)에 『정람 아사마이 시보리 보존회』가 발족하여, 시보리 기법의 보존과 보급에 노력하고 있다.
浅舞绞
横手市平鹿町浅舞有一种从很久以前流传下来的,名为“Narumi”的绞染法。
“Narumi”是江户时代初期,从尾张(爱知县)有松地区传入横手的一种染色技法。这种技法在
有松・鸣海地区被称为“三浦绞”,是当地流传下来的一种基本的染色技术。
从天保年间(公元1830~1844年)开始,经营染房和木棉商的寺田一家,在木棉的大量生产、木棉商和染房的出现、丰富的涌水量等诸条件都具备的情况下,引进了这种绞染技术。江户时代末期,当地人在传统蓝染技术的基础上加入型染(通过纸模具染出固定形状的染法),于是浅舞绞染色技术便诞生了。
关于浅舞绞的花纹,蓝色和白色花纹图案据说多达两百种。其中最具代表性的为柳绞、七绞、丹平绞等图案。后来由于生活方式的变化和人造纤维、化学染料的发展,浅舞绞从大正时期开始开始渐渐衰退。昭和57年(1982年),“正蓝浅舞绞保存会”开始致力于绞染技术的保护和普及等工作。
浅舞絞り
横手市平鹿町浅舞には「なるみ」と呼ばれる絞り技法が古くから伝わっている。
「なるみ」とは江戸時代初期に尾張(愛知県)の有松に伝えられたとする技法で、三浦絞りの名称で有松・鳴海地方に伝承されている基本的な技法の一つである。
天保年間(一八三〇~一八四四)から染屋と木綿商を営んでいた寺田家の伝承によれば、木綿の生産量の向上、木綿商や染屋の出現、豊かな湧水などの諸条件が整っていたこところに絞りの技法が導入され、従来の藍染に型染めが加わって浅舞絞りが生まれた。江戸時代末期の頃と考えられている。
浅舞絞りといわれた紺絞りと白絞りの模様は、約二百種に及んだといわれる、代表的なものとして、柳絞り、お七絞り、丹平絞りなどがある。生活様式の変化と化学繊維や化学染料の発達で、浅舞絞りは大正時代で姿を消したが、昭和五十七年(一九八二)に『正藍浅舞絞り保存会』が発足し、絞り技法の保存と普及につとめている。
Photos by Tohoku Digital Archive