 Izumo
and Tsutsu Gaki
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While visiting Izumo the other day, I stopped in the shop of Mr. Yasushi
Nagata. He was not at home, but his son Mr. Shigenobu Nagata, very patiently
answered all my many questions and showed us samples of old Tsutsu Gaki
which were really delicate and colorful. The shop seems to be very popular
because visitors were there. Many items in the process of dyeing and drawing
were all over the shop.
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The dye used is indigo and the more times something is dyed, the darker
the color is. The color is very strong and lasts for many years. The designs
are also very symbolic for the Japanese people and very attractive for
other visitors. I think the butterflies, turtles, cranes, bamboo and flowers
are very artistic and beautiful. I wish I had some of that work. Mr. Shigenobu
Nagata, the son, showed us the tools and methods of applying thick paste
of a doughy substance to the object being dyed.
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This paste prevents the indigo from coloring the material in the area
it is applied. Therefore, the patterns and designs are covered with paste
and the material dyed. Sometimes, colors besides indigo are used in the
designs which makes the work even more difficult. My preference is for
the indigo blue alone. It is possible to get several shades of blue in
one work. This is done by covering the area dyed, with paste, when the
desired color is achieved. Sometimes an object is dyed more than 12 times.
The work is hard, but the product is lovely.
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