Kimono

This is a summer kimono, or katabira, and is made of hemp, a linen-like fibre well suited to Japan's hot and humid climate. The elegant design of flowers and clouds was created using a technique called yuzen. This involves drawing the pattern on the cloth with rice paste extruded through the metal tip of a cloth bag. The paste forms a protective coat that prevents the colour penetrating when the dyes are applied. The butterflies were created using a tie-dyeing technique called shibori.