Thursday, January 13, 2011

Yuzen Dyeing Atelier (遊 You) ー Gojou,Kyoto


Today,I'm going to visit this dyeing atelier.

 http://some-u.com/
遊 Furisode  http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/someu/diary/201002060000/
遊 Furisode  http://plaza.rakuten.co.jp/someu/diary/201003060000/

This beautiful Kimono is Japanese Furisode,dyed in this atelier.
In the old days,beautiful Kimono design,Kimono patterns were sometimes stolen and imitated.
That often happens even now.
And high-pressure selling of Kimono was rampant in old days, the shop owner said.
But these way of selling Kimono become outdated with the current of the times.

He is a dyeing artisan of this shop.Now he is exercising designing pattern.
There are many types of dyeing in Yuzen.
They create Yuzen kimono at this atelier.And we can buy the kimono here.

After purchasing the kimono,if you want to repair the kimono,you can entrust this shop stuff.
The repair system of this shop is really perfect.
That cannot be compared with that of department store,the shop owner Mr.Yamada said.
This is a tool of drawing a fine line.(like photo below)
This design was created using the tool above.
This way of dyeing is called "Tsutsugaki".
Tsutsugaki is similar to Batik.In batik,a wax is used for dyeing,
but in Tsutsugaki, a paste is used instead of wax.
High skill is needed for Tsutsugaki.

This design is a mixture of two types of dyeing; Batik and Tsutsugaki.
If more than two methods are joinly used,the value of Kimono goes up.

This is Obi band.This is Indian design.It is very interesting. 

This design is also a mixture of two types of dyeing; Tie-dyeing and other way of dyeing.
This design is also of high value.

This is a beautiful shawl. This way of dyeing is called "Danmaru".
Melted resin is applied to cloth before being dipped in dye.
 Wherever the resin has seeped through the fabric, the dye will not penetrate.
This way of dyeing is also similar to Batik.
This way of dyeing needs high skill.
They use this electric heater to dry dyestuff. If dyes run,it ruins everything.
This kimono sells very well. Cute rabbit design is loved by many people.

This is Yuzen design,too.
This design is very cute and pop,but high skill is needed to create this.
Several way of dyeing are combined to create this design.
Every rabbit is described vividly and skillfully.


This is obi and obijime. These patterns are very cute.
This is a design for kimono. In these days,they use computer graphics to draw this.


This cute place mat is a souvenir.You can buy it in this Atelier.
The cat resembles Hime!
She has a little bit severe look...

People in this Atelier are very friendly. Why don't you drop by when you visit Kyoto?

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Spicy garlic-ramen stew ーfor dinner tonight

Today,I want to cook spicy-garlic-ramen stew.
It's very simple.It's my husband's favorite.
This is 1/2 of cabbage,and Chinese noodle.
Thin slices of pork ...350g
Bean sprouts.... 1 pack
Leek....1 pack ( You can substitute long green onions for this.)
Milk...1ℓ
Garlic...3 tablespoon (You have to grate garlic)
Sesame paste...3 tablespoon
These are for soup.

First,we have to cook spicy soup.
To cook soup,we need following things....
This is sesame paste.This is needed for soup.
We need 3 tablespoon.
This is grated garlic.We need 3 tablespoon. 
This is chicken bones.
....We need 1 and a half of tablespoon.
This is sesame oil.
.....We need 1 and a half of tablespoon. 
 This is miso.(soybean paste)
We need 3 tablespoon.(or more)
Miso is very important for this cuisine.
The amount of miso is up to you.
This is sliced red pepper.We need suitable amount.

Pour milk(1ℓ) into an earthen pot,and put this on the fire.(a medium flame)
Then put things above(sesami paste etc...) into the pot.

Then we put vesitables and meats into the pot.
Stew the meat and vegetables until well cooked.
Then we dish them up.
That's all.
It's very good.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Coming-of-Age Day celebration ー"Seijinsiki" 成人式 ②


Congratulations! Wishing you good luck and success!

Coming-of-Age Day celebration ー"Seijinsiki"  成人式

Today is January 10.
We hold a coming-of-Age celebration throughout Japan.(20 year old only) 
She is on her way to go to the celemony hall.


This is the place where celebration ceremony is held.






To be continued.....