Description
While Edo komon consists of fine designs applied to silk, nagaita chūgata (“long-board medium-pattern”) fabrics are made by applying larger designs to cotton for yukata (informal summer kimono) using a long board of about 6.5 meters.
A stencil is used to apply a paste-resist pattern to both sides of the fabric, which is then dyed to create a crisp indigo pattern on a white ground. Nagaita chūgata is a traditional dyeing technique.
Process
- STEP 1
Cotton fabric is mounted on a long board and a stencil is used to apply a red-colored paste resist to both sides.
- STEP 2
A solution of ground soybeans in water is applied to both sides of the fabric with a brush.
- STEP 3
The entire fabric is dip dyed in indigo.
- STEP 4
The red paste resist is washed away with water, revealing the finished indigo pattern.
