Kaga Yuzen | Kanazawa | Japan Deluxe Tours

Famous 5 Color Dyeing Technique

The Kaga Yuzen Kimono Center is dedicated to showcasing and teaching the works and techniques of Kaga Yuzen dyeing in the Ishikawa Prefecture. Located next to the scenic Kenroku-en Garden, Kaga Yuzen is Kanazawa's famous style of cloth dyeing. Characterized by the use of five colors to produce stunning designs, this 3,000 year old dyeing technique was refined to use only: 1) dark red, 2) ochre, 3) grass-green, 4) indigo, and 5) royal purple to create striking designs. At the museum, browse through an extensive collection of Kaga-Yuzen dyed kimono and clothing. Kaga yuzen often uses elegant patterns of flowers, birds, nature, or other stunning scenery during a careful multi-step process. Kaga Yuzen is only done by hand, making it a time consuming and delicate process. The steps include:

1. Sewing white silk fabric into a Kimono
2. Copying the design on paper onto the fabric
3. Application of rice paste
4. Color application
5. Steaming
6. Coating with rice paste
7. Dyeing of the background
8. Steaming (cont.)
9. Washing
10. Water removal & drying
11. Finishing

Stunning Traditional Kimono

While visiting the Kaga Yuzen Kimono Center, tourists can learn the history and steps involved in this delicate craft making process. The Kimono Center also sells finished Kaga-yuzen products as well for tourists who fall in love with the decorative works. Unlike Kyo-Yuzen (Yuzen Dyeing from the Kyoto Prefecture), Kaga-Yuzen does not use certain techniques such as gold leaf application, tie-dyeing, or embroidery when dyeing the fabrics. Thus, Kaga-Yuzen's distinct and original designs are another way to capture the spirit of traditional Japanese craft innovation. Explore the Kaga Yuzen Kimono center with Japan Deluxe Tours during select Quilt Festival Japan Tours and holiday packages.