Ise Katagami is a traditional craft with a history of over 1,000 years! I went to Shirako SuzukaCity, for an interview♪

*This article is the Japanese version of a report written in traditional Chinese by a Taiwanese writer for the traditional Chinese website "Mie Travel Information Book."​
This article introduces the charms of Mie Prefecture for foreigners who use traditional Chinese, so your perspective may be a little different, but please enjoy it as well.

Traditional Chinese article: ``Ise Katagami'', a traditional Japanese craft with a history of 1,000 years, the spirit of craftsmanship and the beauty of fine detail.

What is “Ise Katagami”?

I guess I can't really explain it.

To put it simply, ``Ise Katagami'' is a pattern used for dyeing fabric.

So how is "Ise Katagami" made?

What characteristics does it have?

Besides kimono, what other things is it used for?

This time, I would like to learn about ``Ise Katagami Oosugi'' in Suzuka SuzukaCity Prefecture.

As mentioned earlier, Ise Katagami is a pattern used to dye patterns and patterns onto fabrics such as kimonos, and is a traditional craft from Mie Prefecture that boasts a history of more than a thousand years.

It has been designated as an important intangible cultural property by the country, and six craftsmen have been certified as living national treasures.

When you enter the store, the first thing that greets you is a row of Ise Katagami works.

It's like a museum. Some of them are also on sale.

In order to complete this wonderful work, ``pattern paper'' and the craftsman's ``carving technique'' are essential.

It is surprising to learn that 99% of Japanese katagami paper is produced here at Ise Katagami Ohsugi.

It is said to be sturdy, water-resistant, and resistant to expansion and contraction, so it can withstand fine engravings (often less than 0.1 mm) and dyeing.

When you touch the pattern paper, you will feel the warmth.

The materials are Japanese paper (mostly Mino paper) and persimmon juice (a reddish-brown liquid made by fermenting and aging the juice of unripe persimmons, which has the function of preservatives, sterilization, and making the Japanese paper strong).

Only these two natural materials!

The entire process of making stencil paper is done by hand.

Three sheets of persimmon tanned Japanese paper are pasted together by craftsmen.

It takes 50 days to complete 14 steps such as ripening → drying (sun drying) → scraping → room drying → astringent → drying (sun drying) → indoor drying.

Moreover, after waiting for another year, it was finally completed.

I can't help but respect the craftsman's dedication.

Ise katagami has four techniques: tsubori, kiribori, toolbori, and shimabori, each of which uses a special knife tool.

Some are simply completed using a single technique, while others combine multiple techniques to create complex patterns and patterns.

What Ise Katagami fascinates the world is the extreme beauty created by its incredible delicacy.

The craftsmen created a beautiful pattern by drilling more than 900 holes in a 3cm square.

I don't think I can do it!

Many craftsmen have devoted their lives to mastering this technique, and this technique has been passed down for more than a thousand years, becoming the ``Ise Katagami'' of today.

Ise Katagami has evolved over time and is now used for household goods and stationery.

The photo (↑) is a Japanese-style lighting made from hand-carved Ise katagami paper. It's so beautiful that you can't help but admire it!

We also carry a variety of other Ise Katagami products.

In particular, the folding fans with Ise katagami patterns are very popular among foreign tourists.

Not only is it sturdy, water resistant, and resistant to expansion and contraction, but it also feels great to the touch!

We also have business cards and wallets with Japanese designs.

If you wear something nice like this, everyone will notice you!

A cute bookmark made from Ise Katagami paper. This item is very popular among women and students.

In SuzukaCity, in order to continue preserving this Ise Katagami tradition, it is not uncommon for children to be taught about the Ise Katagami tradition at school and have them experience it.

Of course, there are many people who carve as a hobby.

The store also has paper carving patterns and designs for hobbyists, and seasonal die-cut designs from seasonal calendars and annual events are provided, so you can enjoy seasonal Ise katagami with your own hands. Yes.

The day I interviewed was before the Doll's Festival, so there were lots of cute Doll's Festival designs inside the store!

Do you want to hand carve Ise Katagami?

I love traditional Japanese patterns and patterns, so naturally I was hooked.

When I concentrate on digging, my daily worries and anxieties seem to fly away.

The tools needed to make Ise katagami (↑) are stencil paper, a die-cutting pattern, two types of knives, and a pad.

If you are interested, please purchase the kit and try it at home!

An unexpected talent may blossom.

(The photo shows the Ise Katagami pattern displayed inside Kintetsu Ujiyamada Station)

The other day, a certain British photographer photographed and introduced Ise Katagami from the Edo period that was on display at a museum.

Many foreigners, including designers and artists, have commented that Ise Katagami is the essence of Japanese aesthetics, and that Japan is a wonderful country full of beauty.

I would like to continue to cherish and protect this proud culture.

``Ise Katagami Osugi'' is approximately 40 minutes by train from Nagoya Station.

It is located in SuzukaCity, Mie Prefecture, which is famous for SuzukaCircuit.

If you are interested in traditional Japanese crafts or want to experience the spirit of craftsmanship, please come and visit us.

Limited to groups, you can also watch a demonstration of Ise Katagami.

If you are interested, please contact us in advance via the website below.