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Description

Enraptured by the calm brown and white cat
This is a dyed picture drawn as it is in the process of kimono.
The frame is less than 4 inches in diameter, so it can be used to decorate a small amount of space.
It can be enjoyed at the entrance, on the desk, or as a gift for a loved one.
Enjoy a relaxing moment with a carefree dyed picture.
Information
Manufacturer | J.Flavor * HIROYUKI KIKUTA |
---|---|
Country of origin | Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan |
Technique | Kaga Yuzen |
Material | silk, wooden frame |
Size | W3.15 * D3.94 * H0.51 in. (W8 * D10 * H1.3 cm) |
Weight | 0.04 lbs(20g) |
Capacity | 0 oz(0ml) |
Electronic Equipment | Washing machine x, Cleaning x |
Note | Do not store in direct sunlight. |
Delivery Time | 1-2 weeks (if out of stock + 2-3 weeks) |

Brand
Enjoy the freedom to create with traditional crafts
HIROYUKI KIKUTA
- 2001
- Kaga Yuzen
- Hiroyuki Kikuta

History
500-year history of dyeing techniques
Dyeing in Kaga began about 500 years ago with "ume-zome," a technique of dyeing plain colors with the skin or root of the plum tree.
About 200 years later, Miyazaki Yuzensai, a popular fan painter in Kyoto, moved to Kanazawa and developed the technique by inventing a series of novel pattern dyeing methods.
Kaga yuzen flourished within the samurai culture of the Kaga domain and produced many artists.
I, Hiroyuki Kikuta, studied under Kaga Yuzen artist Satoshi Maekawa before becoming an independent artist in 2001.
In order to become an artist, it is necessary to have at least 5 years of training under a master.
After acquiring sufficient skills, the artist is recommended for membership in the association.
The artist's seal of approval is stamped on the kimono produced, and this is a guarantee of quality for the traditional craft of "Kaga Yuzen".

Characteristic
Pouring a playful spirit into blurred dyeing
Unlike Kyoto Yuzen, Kaga Yuzen does not use techniques other than dyeing, such as gold leaf or tie-dyeing.
The artist adds or subtracts colors to or from the basic five natural colors called "Kaga Gosai" to create realistic patterns of flowers and plants in a painterly style.
The artist also has his own unique technique of bokashi-dyeing, in which glue is placed on the outline to prevent the colors from bleeding into other parts of the pattern.
The "outer bokashi" technique is to make the outside of the pattern darker and gradually lighten the color toward the center.
"Mushikui" is a technique that uses the leaves of a tree being eaten by insects as an accent to the pattern.
I have been working hard right and left in this wonderful world of traditional craftsmanship.
And now, I have created small items with a playful and enjoyable spirit, drawing heartwarming patterns that I do not usually draw.
All of them are authentic yuzen dyeing, hand-painted one by one in the same process as kimonos.

For Customers
Enjoy the finest handiwork
Kaga Yuzen is a traditional Japanese craft that has continued for 300 years.
The beautiful patterns created through numerous processes that have remained unchanged over time and with a great deal of care and attention are a beautiful way to dress for parties and ceremonies.
The artist has taken the techniques of Kaga Yuzen and added a playful touch to his creations.
There are many heartwarming patterns that are not usually incorporated into kimono.
The designs of adorable animals and things you see in daily life will make your heart warm and fuzzy.
We would be happy if you could enjoy the best handicrafts that Japan is proud of.
Award
2008 Certified as a traditional craftsman
2012 Excellent Prize, 155th BiTen Kaga Yuzen Meisho Souzou Exhibition, Japan
2017 Silver Prize, 39th Traditional Kaga Yuzen Exhibition
2018 Gold Prize, 40th Traditional Kaga Yuzen Exhibition
2018, 161st BiTen, Kaga Yuzen Master Craftsman Creation Exhibition, Excellent Prize
Producer
Bringing the value of "Japan's hidden talent" to more people
■J Flavor
Bringing smiles to the local community, to the world, and to society.
We, J Flavor, are a craft production group that creates new value by combining the various talents that Japan possesses in terms of tradition, technology, and sensitivity.
We want people all over the world to know the talent that Japan.
Through the value of Japanese products, we aim to create a society where everyone has a smile.
How Japanese Products Can Be Such High Quality

The Reason Japan Can Produce So Many High-Quality Products
To put it simply, it’s because they found a way to produce exceptional products with high efficiency, resulting in surprisingly low prices.

The Japanese Drive for Perfection
The Japanese always seek perfection in both the production process and the products themselves.
As such, the Japanese production process aims to eliminate waste and inefficiencies while guaranteeing quality by having craftspeople inspect their own products and constantly strive to make improvements.

Ingenuity Stemming from the Spirit of “Omotenashi” and “Kikubari”
The Japanese excel at creating and improving things because of their devotion to the ideas of hospitality and attentiveness, known as “omotenashi” and “kikubari” respectively. These ideas push them to uncover, predict, and fulfill their customers’ every need.
This earnestness, as well as how they spare no effort when it comes to offering their customers the very best, is reflected in the products Japan produces.

Trustworthy Suppliers That Deliver On All Fronts
One product is often the result of various organizations joining forces and combining their skills and capabilities.
Japanese suppliers are known for their dedication to delivering high-quality materials, parts, and products on schedule, and it’s thanks to their efforts that Japan can produce such high-quality goods.

The Japanese Are the World’s Most Discerning and Demanding Customers
Many Japanese people have traveled and experienced shopping around the world. This has given them a much more discerning eye for judging the quality of products.
The standards of Japanese people are very high. They are finely tuned not just to the quality, safety, design, and novelty of products, but also to their visual appearance such as their packaging and wrapping.
Made-in-Japan products keep improving in quality in order to meet the rigorous standards of their domestic clientele.

Japan Is Home to Many Long-Established Companies
According to an international survey, Japan has the highest number of companies that have been established over a century ago. In fact, the grand total of 33,076 of such Japanese companies accounts for 41.3% of the total worldwide number of 80,066. The US takes second place with 19,497 companies (24.4%) and Sweden comes in third with 13,997 (17.5%).
Japan also has the highest number of companies that are more than two centuries old, being home to 1,340 such companies, which account for 65.0% of the global total of 2,051. The US takes second place with 239 companies (11.6%), Germany comes in third with 201 (9.8%), and the UK places fourth with 83 (4.0%).
So, Japan is able to produce so many high-quality goods because it’s home to the highest number of long-established companies that have been passing down their knowledge and technical prowess through the generations.
*Source: Based on data from Teikoku Databank and Bureau Van Dijk’s orbis (as of October 2019).
What Makes Traditional Japanese Crafts High Quality
Traditional crafts are the amalgamation of Japanese culture.
“Traditional crafts” is the general term used for crafts that are produced using processes and techniques that have been passed down through generations. In Japan, this includes textiles, dyed goods, ceramics, lacquerware, woodwork, washi Japanese paper, dolls, items for Buddhist rituals, and other goods that enrich our everyday lives.
Traditional crafts are associated with the concept of “the beauty of use”, which refers to products and skills that become easier to use and approach perfection the longer they come into contact with people.
Currently, it is believed that there are approximately 1,300 different types of traditional crafts in Japan.
Among these, 236 crafts have been officially designated as “traditional Japanese crafts” by the Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry (as of January 2021).
The main criteria for being recognized as a traditional Japanese craft:

Key Parts of the Production Process Must Be Done by Hand
Traditional Japanese crafts do not have to be entirely handmade, but the underlying process that brings out the product’s unique and distinctive characteristics, such as their quality, form, and design, must be handcrafted.
This guarantees that every traditional Japanese craft is, at its core, a product of human hands, meaning that its size and shape have been designed with human comfort in mind. It also makes the crafts much safer.

The Skills and Techniques Used to Make It Must Be Passed Down for Over 100 Years
The Japanese believe that a technique or a skill can only be considered reliable and complete after it’s been refined through trial and error and constant improvements by numerous craftspeople over a period of at least 100 years.
Skills are closely related to the capability of each craftsperson and precision, and they are something that an individual can refine. Techniques, on the other hand, are associated with the historical accumulation of knowledge, including everything from the selection of raw materials to the production process.
All this said, modern craftspeople don’t just mimic the techniques of the past. Rather, they’re continuously coming up with improvements and developing new ways of doing things without fundamentally changing what makes traditional Japanese crafts unique.

The Skills and Techniques Used to Make It Must Be Passed Down for Over 100 Years
As we can see, the secret to the high quality of made-in-Japan products is the drive of Japanese people for perfection, the adherence to their unique philosophy of hospitality, and their discerning eye that can’t be matched.
Traditional Japanese crafts are one level above normal made-in-Japan products, as they must also meet rigorous criteria such as being handcrafted or made using skills and techniques that have been passed down for at least a century.
Thanks to all of the above, Japanese products have become famous for their high quality all over the world.