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Kasuri　Ori

Kasuri Fabric
　　　　　Kasuri ori is a method of dyeing thread for weaving that originated in India where it is known as Ikat dyeing. The threads are resist dyed prior to weaving in such a way that when they are woven into fabric a pattern will appear. This is done by grouping the warp and weft threads into small bunches and wrapping them tightly with thread. The resulting fabric tends to have a somewhat blurry pattern and rustic feel as a result either dye seeping into the resist-tied areas or the resist dyed patches not lining up correctly, but, considering how precise the planning needs to be for the resist-dyed sections to form a pattern at all, this method is capable of producing amazingly detailed patterns.

resist-tying
　　　　　Kasuri ori refers more to the dyeing method than the weaving itself,　and it can therefore be woven on a simple backstrap loom and is often done with cotton in a simple flat weave. Kasuri Ori has been traditionally used with indigo dyes to create practical work clothes with patterns in only blue and white but it is also possible to create a multi-colored pattern with other dyes. The tying of the warp threads for dyeing was traditionally done by hand, but machines have been developed that allow it to be mechanized now.







“02 KURUME KASURI 久留米絣- Japanese Ikat / Modern Technique (Machine Weaving, Chemical Dye).” YouTube, UNAGINO-NEDOKO Official/うなぎの寝床公式チャンネル, 25 May 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7bxWww3AR8.

 Kurume Kasuri Cooperative Association. “Kurume Kasuri｜TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CRAFTS OF FUKUOKA.” TRADITIONAL JAPANESE CRAFTS OF FUKUOKA, Fukuoka Prefecture, https://www.crossroadfukuoka.jp/traditionalcrafts/en/crafts/kurumekasuri/.

 “Nishijin Industry.” Nishijin Textile Industry Association, Nishijin Textile Center, http://nishijin.or.jp/eng/whats-nishijin/industry.

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