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Tag: Tomita Sen Kogei (Tokyo Some Monogatari Museum)

CategoriesExperience

Traditional Dyeing in Shinjuku: Beat the Heat with a Cool Dyeing Experience by the River

By ninjakotan

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 Cultureread moreTraditional Dyeing in Shinjuku: Beat the Heat with a Cool Dyeing Experience by the River

CategoriesExperience

Do You Know “Shijuhattcha Hyakunezumi (48 Browns 100 Grays)”? The “Iki” Colors of Edo

By ninjakotan

Do You Know “Shijuhattcha Hyakunezumi (48 Browns 100 Grays)”? The “Iki” Colors of Edo     The “Iki” Colors of Edo: Creativity Within Constraints Due to the sumptuary laws of the Edo shogunate, commoners’ kimonos were strictly regulated not only in terms of “colors and patterns” but also “fabrics.” The materials that commoners could wear were limited to “hemp” or “cotton,” and the colors were restricted to “brown,” “gray,” and “indigo.” However, the desire of commoners to wear something unique led artisans to experiment and create subtle variations within these colors. Consequently, this restriction gave rise to the “Iki” colors of Edo (Tokyo).  This creativity and the demand for fashionable attire among the commoners gave birth to the color palette known as “Shijuhattcha Hyakunezumi” (48 Browns 100 Grays, 四十八茶百鼠). These colors, though not flashy, represented a sophisticated and refined aspect of Japanese color culture. The terms “forty-eight” and “one hundred” don’t refer to the exact number of colors but signify a wide variety of hues.    The Ingenious Palette: Unique Shades and the Spirit of “Iki” Among these colors, numerous shades of brown and gray emerged, each with its unique name. For example, in the brown category, there is “Ki-cha”read moreDo You Know “Shijuhattcha Hyakunezumi (48 Browns 100 Grays)”? The “Iki” Colors of Edo

CategoriesExperience

Do You Know About Wagasa (Traditional Japanese Umbrella)?

By ninjakotan

Do You Know About Wagasa (Traditional Japanese Umbrella)? How to Borrow Wagasa for Free   What is Wagasa (Traditional Japanese Umbrella)? Wagasa is a traditional Japanese umbrella made by attaching Washi paper to a frame crafted from natural materials such as bamboo, wood, and thread. The number of ribs varies depending on the type and purpose requiring many ribs. One of the beauties of wagasa is that it looks like a single piece of bamboo when folded. There are various types of wagasa, including “Bangasa,” “Janomegasa,” “Higasa,” and “Maigasa.” Those treated with vegetable oil on the washi paper attached to the ribs are used as rain umbrellas, with “Bangasa” and “Janomegasa” being the most common types of rain umbrellas.   History of Wagasa Wagasa was introduced to Japan from China along with Buddhist culture around the 6th century. Initially, they were large umbrellas that could not be opened or closed, used by attendants to shield high-ranking individuals from the sun and ward off evil spirits. During the Edo period (1603-1868), Wagasa was improved and became widely used. Furthermore, daimyos encouraged the production of Wagasa as a local industry, leading to their spread across the country. Replacing the oiled paper ofread moreDo You Know About Wagasa (Traditional Japanese Umbrella)?

CategoriesExperience

Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” Featured on the New ¥1000 Note: A Tribute to “Japan Blue”

By ninjakotan

Katsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” Featured on the New ¥1000 Note: A Tribute to “Japan Blue”   Finally Got My Hands on the New ¥1000 Note Featuring Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” I finally got my hands on the new ¥1000 note issued on July 3. For the first time in history, a ukiyo-e painting is depicted on the reverse side. This ukiyo-e is none other than Katsushika Hokusai’s world-famous “The Great Wave off Kanagawa.” The redesign of the banknote is the first in 20 years since 2004. The “Great Wave off Kanagawa” perfectly complements the blue-toned new ¥1000 banknote. Like many others, I love “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” so much that I can’t bring myself to use the new ¥1000 note right away. The design is just that impressive. While multi-colored prints are predominant in ukiyo-e, there are many that are predominantly blue. Hokusai’s “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji,” which includes “The Great Wave off Kanagawa,” features many blue-toned Aizuri-e (prints in blue) in its earlier prints. The vibrant blue skies and seas brought a fresh perspective to landscape representation in ukiyo-e. Following Hokusai, Utagawa Hiroshige further expanded the expressive possibilities of Aizuri-e.   Theread moreKatsushika Hokusai’s “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” Featured on the New ¥1000 Note: A Tribute to “Japan Blue”

CategoriesExperience

The Best 19 Things to Do in Shinjuku (Experience Traditional Dyeing)

By ninjakotan

The Best 19 Things to Do in Shinjuku (Experience Traditional Dyeing)   Experience Traditional Dyeing: Things to Do in Shinjuku Today, we introduce the dyeing experience offered by Tomita Sen Kogei (Tokyo Some Monogatari Museum), one of ‘The Best 19 Things to Do in Shinjuku’ for which we are selling tours.  Many dyeing-related businesses gathered in the Kanda River basin, seeking clean water suitable for dyeing. As a local industry in Shinjuku, they continue to preserve traditional crafts while incorporating new designs. Our company, Tomita Sen Kogei, which offers dyeing experience tours, is the largest dyeing workshop.  Tomita Sen Kogei Was Founded in 1882 Tomita Sen Kogei was founded in 1882 by the first generation, Tomita Kichibei, in Asakusa, marking the beginning of its history. In 1914 (Taisho 3), the dyeing workshop for Edo Komon and Edo Sarasa was relocated to its current location in Waseda. The workshop retains traditional features such as the “Itaba” and the steam box used to fix colors on dyed fabrics, providing a nostalgic atmosphere. The workshop has amassed an extensive collection of Ise Katagami stencils, totaling over 120,000 sheets for Edo Komon and Edo Sarasa. Among them are many with a modern touch. Edoread moreThe Best 19 Things to Do in Shinjuku (Experience Traditional Dyeing)