Traditional Dyeing in Shinjuku: Beat the Heat with a Cool Dyeing Experience by the River
Traditional Dyeing in Shinjuku: Beat the Heat with a Cool Dyeing Experience by the River Enjoy Traditional Dyeing Experience in Shinjuku Our company offers dyeing experience tours at “Tomita Sen Kogei (Tokyo Some Monogatari Museum)” and “Some-no-Sato Ochiai.” Under the guidance of skilled artisans, you can dye your own cotton tablecloths, tote bags, and silk scarves, creating unique, personalized products. This summer, many children are participating in dyeing, an activity that people of all ages can enjoy. Not only is it fun, but it’s also a great opportunity to learn about the traditional culture of Shinjuku, Tokyo. The History of Dyeing in Tokyo Dyeing requires a large amount of water to wash away the dyes and starch, which is why Tokyo’s dyeing industry began along the water-rich Kanda River during the Edo period. In the Meiji and Taisho periods, dye houses moved upstream along the Kanda River, spreading to areas such as Edogawabashi, Waseda, and Ochiai in search of better water. Even today, this area remains a center for the dyeing industry. In the past, it was common in Tokyo to see people washing kimono dyes and starch in the river. “Iki” Born from “Tokyo Some-Komon” and Samurai Culture
