Daily products for modern living mixing Japanese and western tastes

The snowflake shibori is a pattern arrangement that resembles the rhythmic crystallization of snow. With a simple charm that harmonizes with European design, this pattern is one of a variety of dye styles created in the Arimatsu area of Aichi prefecture at the start of the Edo period. Differing slightly from the kanoko shibori dyeing style, which requires lots of time and money, the snowflake shibori is beloved nationwide as the common people’s shibori dye. Izutsu was established in 1892, and – with the snowflake shibori – has expanded its use beyond the Japanese kimono. Young Tomohisa Yamada is the fifth generation head of the company. He returned to the family company after studying in the textile department at Tokyo National University of Fine Arts and Music, and spending time as an understudy at the Yuzen workshop. With the kimono industry in decline, and driven by a lack of successors around him, Yamada put his creativity-loving personality to work. Emphasizing daily items that are easy to handle, he began to demonstrate his skills in dye techniques.

Produced in Imabari, this white towel boasts the highest artisanal skill in Japan. With the texture verified personally by Yamada, this non-twisted yarn type towel features a soft and fluffy texture that persists even when washed. “When we tested sales of this towel at the department store, the charm of the pattern caught the eye of customers in their 20s and 30s with no knowledge of kimono or shibori dye, and they purchased it. I once again found myself thinking how great it was to be able to create something that connects with daily life,” says Yamada. With reviews pouring in on social media, the Izutsu brand name has become well-known, providing hands-on workshops to try snowflake shibori dyeing.

“Snowflake shibori dyeing is simple, even for beginners, and the charm comes with the slight variations of the patterns. In fact, I often find myself drawing inspiration from the dyes created by the customers.” Yamada’s words sheds light a degree of creative flexibility that may be embraced by future generations.