CRAFTSMAN
Rakugei Traditional Yarning Atelier
The Infinite Charming Sense of Yarning
The yarning of such unique materials is what creates the Nishijin textile straps beautiful and highly reputable worldwide. Mr. Murata highly values the beauty of the traditional yarning method as it can orchestrate the eloquence of the whole textile while maintaining its own gorgeousness. Mr. Murata emphasizes on the importance of continuous innovation while maintaining the great tradition inherited over the time. He strongly believes it is his responsibility to create the new tradition by challenging the new things and continuesly to seek out for another new developments within his expertise in yarning. “This is ideal ecosystem of the tradition” according to Mr. Murata.
- Gold leaf artist Kohei MurataRakugei Traditional Yarning Atelier
- Mr. Murata was born and raised in Kyoto in 1977. He is the third generation of the traditional Hikihaku (Yarn) atelier designated for NIshijin-textiles. He received the extensive training on the yarning technique from his master, father, while he was attending the university. He is certified Japanese traditoanl craftsman appointed by the Ministry of the Economy.
Traditional Japanese Yarning
The traditional Japanese yarning is significant components of the Nishijin textile as it plays an important role in creating such depth perception on its textile. This traditional yarning method is not primary for designing the patterns. Its primally application is to deliver the depth perception onto the design pattern of the Nishijin textile. It consists of the décor of the colored Japanese paper coated with urushi lacquware with some touch of the gold / silver leaf. It is cut into ultra-thin strings and then formed the flatten design piece altogether. Each string is yarned onto the textile. This method requires to yarn both front and back side of the textile alternatively by vertically weaving each décor string onto the textiles. The name HIkihaku in Japanese originated from its ancient word defined as the act of pulling its ultra-thin yarn in such alternated yarning process.
The décor process of the Japanese paper by the traditional yarning master also requires the great artistic sense.
The “aged yarn” was used in this design. This aged yarn is oxidized and discolored over the years which is inherited from Mr. Murata’s deceased grandfather, Japanese traditional artist. It enabled to create the calm brightness to the frames.
The masking process is significantly important in the décor of the sunglasses. It is said this determines the success of its completion.
The method of placing the small yarn on top of the larger yarn enables the depth perception which was originated from the traditional Nishijin textile strap yarning process.
“Deikin” is Japanese traditional method to décor gold by using the specialized glue solution. The pile amount of gold leaves is used in this décor method along with the multiple usages of the adhesive tape to create the great depth perception.
The yarning of such unique and different materials on the canvas other than the traditional Japanese paper became available because of the past experiences in color transformations from the adhesiveness and the coating method along with many other past case studies.
The traditional yarn master delivers the beautiful piece of the art into the Japanese paper cut into ultra-thin width of as thin as 0.3mm. It then is passed onto the textile craftsmen for the completion of the Nishijin textile strap.
