SANSAI STUDIO｜KYOTO YUZEN ENGRAVINGS

Brand

From the background to the front stage

SANNSAI STUDIO

• 1994
• Yuzen Engravings
• Hiroshi Sako

History

Important work supporting yuzen dyeing

Sansai Studio was founded in 1994 in Kyoto, Japan, producing patterns for Kyoto Yuzen dyeing.

Yuzen dyeing, popularized by Miyazaki Yuzensai in the Edo period (1603-1868), was a method of hand-dyeing Japanese paintings, but in the early Meiji period (1868-1912), multi-color dyeing method using stencils, called “katazome Yuzen,”, was born.

My job is to be the engraver of those stencils.

Since there are more than 20 different processes involved in the production of Kyo-Yauzen, each process is carried out by a specialized craftsmen.

Although katazome Yuzen is a more efficient dyeing method than hand-painting, it requires dozens to hundreds of stencils for each kimono, as many stencils are needed for each color to be printed.

Therefore, katazome Yuzen is completed only through the joint efforts of a stencil printer and an engraver.

I started my own business after working as a stencil maker at Kashiwagi Kogei in Kyoto.

Since the beginning, I have been making molds for kimono such as furisode (long-sleeved kimono) and yukata (summer kimono).

In 2003, I became a traditional Kyoto Yuzen craftsman certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.

Characteristic

Creating traditional crafts that ride the wave of the times

We believe that in order to support Kyo Yuzen, we must be sensitive to the changes of the times while continuing to carry on the traditional techniques.

There are two types of printing blocks we create, and we change them according to the dyeing method of our customers.

“Kirigata” is hand-carved using tools such as small knives and round gouges, and each piece is carefully crafted by hand by skilled artisans with more than 50 years of experience in this field.

On the other hand, there is the "silk-screening" method, in which a special film is placed on an aluminum frame and fused to it by exposing it to light.

In 2007, we began producing data for inkjet printing, which has become mainstream in recent years, with several thousand types of data.

Furthermore, in 2020, the company began a laser processing business for engraving using the design data it has cultivated to date, and is developing its business while making full use of cutting-edge technology.

In addition to engraving, we also apply our own coating, and are pushing the boundaries of our craftsmanship while showcasing the gorgeous world of Kyo-yuzen.

For Customers

Enter the world of gorgeous and high quality Yuzen!

We have been involved in the engraving of Kyo-Yuzen dyed patterns for more than 20 years since our establishment.

We are constantly challenging ourselves to keep up with the changes in the world by adopting the latest technology while at the same time continuing to pass on traditional techniques.

In particular, the wooden tableware we have engraved using new machinery has been well received at exhibitions, and we feel that we are making major progress.

We can now confidently recommend these products to everyone.

Skilled craftsmen carefully finish each piece by combining the natural beauty of Japanese flower, bird, wind, and moon patterns with a blurring technique and many colors unique to Kyo Yuzen.

Each item is carefully crafted one by one by skilled artisans.

We hope that our colorful products will brighten your heart and enhance your dinner parties and other times spent with loved ones.

Award

2020 Kyoto Master Craftsman Awarded by Kyoto Prefecture

2011 Kyoto City "Master Craftsman of the Future" for traditional industry

2003 Certified by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan as a Traditional Craftsman of Kyoto Yuzen