Textiles created by the charm of nature! Let's try wearing Yonezawa Tsumugi!

Do you know the textile called Yonezawa Tsumugi?

Yonezawa Tsumugi, also known as ``Safflower Tsumugi'' and ``Okitama Tsumugi,'' is a popular Tsumugi fabric among men and women of all ages.
This kimono is made using only natural dyes such as safflower, and is unique in that even the elderly will not feel out of place despite its bright colors.

This time, we will introduce Yonezawa Tsumugi, a pongee textile that represents Yamagata Prefecture.

History of Yonezawa Tsumugi

Yonezawa Tsumugi is particularly popular among Yonezawa textiles.
This pongee textile became a specialty of Yonezawa dating back to the Edo period.

When Harunori Uesugi (Takayama Uesugi), the 9th lord of the Yonezawa clan, assumed the position of lord of the Yonezawa clan, the domain was suffering from a financial crisis due to repeated reductions in the amount of stone.
In order to rebuild the Yonezawa clan's finances, Harunori encouraged the sericulture and silk weaving industries as part of his plan to revitalize the domain, and the Yonezawa clan was able to rebuild its finances and overcome the famine.
This is said to be the beginning of Yonezawa Tsumugi.

Characteristics of Yonezawa Tsumugi

Yonezawa Tsumugi is a textile made using a method called "yarn dyeing."
This method does not dye the fabric, but dyes the threads before they are woven.
Therefore, it is possible to create soft colors, beautiful color mixtures, and textures.

Another feature of Yonezawa Tsumugi is that only dyes created from nature are used.

Yamagata is rich in nature and is home to a variety of dyes, including safflower, indigo, and Kariyasu.
For this reason, Yonezawa is able to produce pongee textiles called ``plant-dyed pongee'' and ``safflower-dyed pongee'' that do not use synthetic dyes.
Because Yonezawa Tsumugi is dyed using only natural dyes, it is possible to create vivid and soft colors that cannot be created with synthetic dyes.

Safflower-dyed pongee is the most popular among Yonezawa pongee.
This pongee fabric is attractive in gorgeous colors ranging from yellow to red.
Among pongee textiles that often have dark and plain colors, the bright colors of safflower pongee make it stand out.
The secret to its popularity is that it is both gorgeous and elegant, so it can be worn by both young and old people without feeling out of place.

Wakuwakukan, a dyeing and weaving workshop where you can experience Yonezawa weaving and safflower dyeing

From here, we will introduce spots where you can experience weaving in Yonezawa.

Dyeing and Weaving Workshop Wakuwakukan is a comprehensive tourist facility located 15 minutes by car from Yonezawa Station, complete with a workshop, shop, gallery, and cafe.

Tokiiro Yonezawa, a gallery where you can admire Yonezawa-ori

At the gallery, you can enjoy a variety of Yonezawa-ori products woven by modern craftsmen.

In a space of 30 tsubo, it is filled with the charm of beautiful and majestic Yonezawa-ori, a combination of traditional techniques and modern techniques.

Experience workshop where you can choose from handloom and safflower dyeing

At the workshop, you can experience both hand weaving and safflower dyeing.

You can choose from two types of hand-woven fabrics: table centerpieces and silk coasters, and two types of safflower-dyed fabrics: silk scarves and handkerchiefs.It takes 30-50 minutes for hand-woven fabrics and 15-30 minutes for safflower-dyed fabrics. Masu.

You can take home the works you create during the experience on the day of the event.
Since you've come all the way to Yonezawa Ori no Sato, why not make some souvenirs to commemorate your visit?

Shop & Cafe

At the shop, you can purchase Yonezawa-ori, Japanese accessories, and safflower-dyed products.

The shirring stole dyed with safflower is a popular item that allows you to enjoy the bright safflower color and the comfort that only silk can provide.
Accessories made from Yonezawa Tsumugi are also appealing because of the soft touch that only Tsumugi can provide.
Please enjoy the Japanese texture that can be easily incorporated into your daily life, such as bags, pouches, bill compartments, and coin purses.

The cafe at the back of the shop is a space where you can relax after the experience or during your trip.
Please spend a relaxing time looking at the beautiful and unique works.

INFORMATION

You can understand Yonezawa Tsumugi by trying it on!

Yonezawa Tsumugi is a beautiful textile that makes the most of the colors produced by nature.
Its charm can be felt even more strongly by wearing it.
If you want to know the charm of pongee, try wearing it, even if it's an accessory.
You can enjoy the beauty of Yamagata's nature!