Miyuki Designs

What Kimono means?

"Kimono"means "clothes"literally in Japanese, but "a Japanese traditional dressing gown"has become the meaning we give it today.

What is their attraction?

The elaborate designs and opulent colors of Japanese textiles are what have made them famous around the world. These came from the history and culture of Japanese industry, which were in turn conditioned by its relations with other countries. Japan is an island with four distinct seasons, each influencing fabric design and manufacturing technique. Japanese have always had a strong sense of beauty. It is important as they go about their daily life.

You can learn more about the history of the Kimono from this website.
History of Kimono [from "The Beauty of Kimono"]

The raw materials
behind the textiles:


"KINU" raw silk	"ASA" linen (hemp, flax)	"MEN" cotton

"KAMI" paper	"KE" wool	"BASHOU" leaves of banana tree

"OHYOU" a kind of elm tree in Japan

Each Kimono is individual and unique in its design features, varying in the weave, the dye used, and of course the embroidery which might use gold leaf lacquer.

Kimono textile is shaped two-dimensionally from a single bolt which measures approximately 14 to 16 inches wide and 480 to 520 inches long. "Obi" (the sash) textile is measured approximately 12 to 14 inches wide and 145 to 170 inches long.

The materials for used for Dyeing:


Plants (flowers, leaves, barks, pods)	Insects, Shells	Soil, Ores

"Some" Dyeing, "Ori" Weaving,
and "Shisyu" Embroidery
technique:

Here is a website which was created by The Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries. You can read more of the production techniques here, and also see their photo galleries.
Dyeing [from Traditional Crafts of Japan]
Weaving [from Traditional Crafts of Japan]
Kyoto Embroidery [from Traditional Crafts of Japan]
Kaga Embroidery [from Traditional Crafts of Japan]

"Suri-haku" Gold or silver foiled:

"Surihaku" is the name of a technique where glue is applied by laying the fabric on the ground, and gold and silver leaf is pasted according to a template laid on top.

"Monyou" Patterns:

"Monyo" refers to a picture where details are repeated in a pattern. There are famous examples of Monyo that have been created through the ages, and found on textiles, china, and furnishings. The pictures depict people going about their daily life, and include animals and flowers and trees, typical scenes that have never changed.

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