Hand-Painted Kimono Maker
てがききものせいさくか
Industry & Occupation
Classification
Summary
Artisan who uses brushes and dyes to hand-draw patterns on one-of-a-kind kimonos. Combines traditional techniques with creativity to perform painting and dyeing work.
Description
Hand-painted kimono makers are artisans who draw underdrawings on silk fabric, apply resist paste, mix dyes, and perform painting and dyeing to hand-draw patterns on kimonos. Traditionally, they use techniques such as Yuzen dyeing, repeating steaming, washing, and boiling to fix the colors. They handle everything from design to finishing in-house, adopting a haute couture-style production tailored to customer requests. They sell through personal orders and exhibitions, inheriting techniques while challenging new expressions.
Future Outlook
Although the market is shrinking due to the diversification of Western clothing and advances in printing technology, a certain niche market is maintained from the perspective of demand for high-end Japanese clothing and preservation of traditional culture, and attention from overseas is increasing.
Personality Traits
Attention to detail / Curious and inquisitive / Excellent aesthetic sense / Patient
Work Style
Custom Manufacturing / Exhibiting at Shows and Events / Freelance / OEM / Studio Production
Career Path
Apprentice Artisan (Disciple) → Independent Artisan → Traditional Craftsman → Workshop Operation and Branding → Instructor and Mentor
Required Skills
Brush Coloring Technique / Drawing / Dye Mixing / Resist Paste and Dye-Resist Technique
Recommended Skills
Color Theory Knowledge / Digital Design Tools / Marketing / Presentation
Aptitudes (Strengths Preferred)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Attention to Detail & Accuracy | Required to accurately express fine brush strokes and color boundaries. |
| Creativity & Ideation | Essential creativity to create unique patterns and colors. |
Aptitudes (Weaknesses Acceptable)
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Numerical & Quantitative Analysis | Complex mathematical analysis is hardly needed. |
| Collaboration & Teamwork | Basically individual work, with limited teamwork. |
Related Qualifications
- Traditional Craftsman (desirable to obtain)
Aliases
- Hand-Painted Kimono Artist
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