Kaga Yuzen Private Atelier Tour & Silk Painting Experience at Kanazawa

A Kaga Yuzen Master whose Creations are Fit for Royalty

Tucked away in a quiet residential area in Ishikawa Prefecture's Kanazawa City is Yuzen Kukan Kobo Hisatsune (or "Hisatsune” for short), an atelier dedicated to Kaga Yuzen, a type of dyeing that originated in Kanazawa and is a local handicraft that Ishikawa Prefecture takes pride in. Traditionally, it was usually applied onto high-quality textiles such as silk for kimonos.

The atelier is surrounded by greenery and seasonal blossoms, which further enhance its tranquil ambiance. Step inside, and you'll find an array of stunning Kaga Yuzen creations, including elaborately patterned kimonos and obi sashes.

Also on display in addition to kimonos and obis are scarves made with Kaga Yuzen techniques

Named after the founder himself, Hisatsune is the atelier of Toshiharu Hisatsune. One of Kanazawa's leading Kaga Yuzen artists, Mr. Hisatsune has an illustrious career and an impressive range of accomplishments. In 1990, for example, he was commissioned to create hand-dyed Kaga Yuzen pieces that were later presented as wedding gifts to Empress Masako.

A valuable opportunity to learn Kaga Yuzen directly from an expert like Mr. Hisatsune, who paints his creations by hand

A Beautiful Cultural Heritage Dating Back to the Edo Period

Kaga Yuzen has a centuries-old history, tracing its roots back to the Edo period (1603–1868), when Kanazawa was known as the Kaga Domain. Under the patronage of the samurai warlords who ruled the land, this craft flourished during this time and has since been passed down for over 300 years.

This dyeing technique is characterized by realistic floral patterns and intricately hand-drawn lines. Making use of techniques such as soto-bokashi (darkly shading the outer edges to create a gradient effect) and mushi-kui (the depiction of spotted leaves bitten by insects), Kaga Yuzen gorgeously recreates the seasonal beauty of Japan with touches of realism.

Intricate hand-drawn lines that stand out from the background color, creating contrast

Another distinctive feature of Kaga Yuzen is its use of five base colors: indigo, rouge (dark red), yellow ochre, grassy green, and royal purple. With these colors as the foundation for their work, Kaga Yuzen artists begin to develop their creations: deciding which motifs to depict, what variety of colors to use to add more detail, and so on.

Mr. Hisatsune's signature style for his Kaga Yuzen creations, which mainly highlight the beauty of nature, has a serene and elegant feel to it. He says that it's highly important for him to consider how to best bring out the charm of the wearer.

Five base colors for Kaga Yuzen artists to express their creativity. The creation of colors and color schemes is also said to be a reflection of an artist's skill

This experience begins with a tour of the atelier, led by Mr. Hisatsune himself. Although there may be many works in progress on the day of your visit, you will have the chance to pick up and touch actual tools used for Kaga Yuzen while Mr. Hisatsune provides commentary and explanations. You're also welcome to put on kimonos made by the atelier and take photos.

On display at the atelier are an array of stunning Kaga Yuzen creations, including kimonos and obis

After the atelier tour, you'll use a Kaga Yuzen technique to paint a handkerchief. Using a calligraphy brush or paintbrush, fill a pattern of your choice with color, but be careful not to paint beyond the outline, which is lined with rice glue to prevent the dye from running. With each stroke of your brush, the design gradually takes shape.

Under Mr. Hisatsune's guidance, you can learn additional Kaga Yuzen techniques such as bokashi (shading)

As Kaga Yuzen entails painting by hand, it requires a lot of patience, but the painstaking effort is worth the payoff. After all, slowly breathing life into your creation and witnessing it finally come to completion are the joys of painting. Mr. Hisatsune hopes that through this experience, participants will discover for themselves how fascinating and rewarding art done by hand can be. As such, this experience is a fulfilling exercise in creativity and the limitless potential of the imagination.

This experience will give you the opportunity to observe a master artist at work and even receive guidance from him

Beyond the World of Kimonos: New Possibilities for Kaga Yuzen

A scarf and an obi dyed with natural pigments from locally grown fruits and flowers

Aiming to bring people closer to Kaga Yuzen, Mr. Hisatsune constantly seeks new ways to incorporate Kaga Yuzen art into modern life. He doesn't just apply Kaga Yuzen to kimonos and traditional accessories; rather, he also uses a diverse variety of materials such as wood, glass, gold leaf, and scarves made of ultra-thin fabric. For someone like Mr. Hisatsune, who has a vast imagination and an innovative spirit, the possibilities are limitless.

Kaga Yuzen is a centuries-old collection of intricate Japanese dyeing techniques that convey the beauty of nature and are still being passed down to this very day. This experience is highly recommended for those who appreciate art and design, as well as the hard work, skill, and artisanship behind each creation. Come visit Hisatsune to familiarize yourself with Kaga Yuzen and develop a greater appreciation for it.