What is "tsujigahana"

is a Japanese fabric dyeing technique that originated in the Muromachi era.

Tsujigahana is a variety of Kimono created by the technique of Shibori. The extravagant patterns were rather more picturesque and it was more eye-catching than other ordinary kinds of Kimono. Tsujigahana technique is in a shroud of mystery as it is not clearly known who invented it or why it was called Tsujigahana. The technique lasted for two era from Muromachi period to Edo period for about 300 to 400 years. It quickly became forgotten after the rise of Japanese handicrafts technique. But Tsujigahana nevertheless contributed a lot for the decorative art phase in Azuchi-Momoyama period. The art was revived by Itchiku Kubota (1918-2003). He was succeed by his son, Satoshi Kubota. Itchiku founded the Itchiku Kubota Art Museum. His collection of eighty kimono, known as the Symphony of Light, displaying the Four Seasons (including Oceans) and The Universe is a work in progress, passed from father to son.