Design drawing and threads, Heian Period Costumes

Skilled professionals specializing in each step of the making create the costumes. In modern times, first the desired design is planned on a computer, and then the threads are selected. Next, the warp is set on the loom and the weft woven in according to the design. The costume fabrics are woven with traditional court design motifs (yusoku monyo) such as round medallions (marumon) composed of birds and flowers or continuous patterns forming a background, like arabesque scrolls or diagonal lattices.