Traditional Industries
Nishijin Textile
When the capital was moved to Heiankyo, the Oribe no Tsukasa textile office was established and developed as a Court industry. Nishijin textiles were dealt a hefty blow by the War of Onin. However, after the war was over, many weavers came back to Kyoto, thus reviving the fabric industry. At present, this traditional industry is supported by a highly advanced division of labor which has established Kyoto as the largest fabric producing region in Japan and given Nishijin textiles a leading role in the traditional industry sector.
Nishijin textiles include a variety of fabrics such as belts, cloths, neckties, brocade silk, shawls and indoor decorations, and is famous for its high grade fabrics throughout world.
Tango Crepe
Many silk fabrics have been produced in Tango (the northern part of Kyoto prefecture) since the Nara era. Yet it is since the Kyoto years of the Edo era that this area has become famous for the Tango Crepe. A man called Kinu-ya Saheiji worked in Kyoto Nishijin and studied their secret methods through hard work, ultimately taking them with him to Tango. This method proved to be the base of the present day Tango Crepe.
Tango Crepes, with their special Shibo (a kind of fold) and silken touch, are mainly shipped as white cloth, and it is with great pride that they are the most popular material from which to produce the beautiful Hurisode and Komon Kimonos.
Kyo-Yuzen and Kyo-Komon
Hand-painted Yuzen originated in the 8th century. Miyazaki Yuzensai, the famous fan-painter, adapted his painting style to his dyeing design in the latter half of 17 century. It is said that his design is the origin of hand-painted Yuzen. A man called Hirose Jisuke developed the Utsushi-Zome technique of Stenciled Yuzen in the first half of the Meiji period. Hand-painted Yuzen and Stenciled Yuzen are generically refered to as Kyo-Yuzen in the present day.
The method of dyeing with a repeated small and elegant design is generically refered to as Kyo-Komon. This originated in the Samurai’s Kamishimo (formal dress) in the middle of the 16th century.
Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki
Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki have been produced over a 1,200 year period within a rich culture and plentiful environment.
Kyo-yaki and Kiyomizu-yaki, which are mainly used as dinner sets or tools for tea ceremonies and flower arrangement, are made with great care by traditional sophisticated designs and high grade techniques. They possess many characteristics and are produced only in small quantities. One can strongly sense the handmade nature of every work, which provide a feeling of peace and elegance not restricted to the boundaries of everyday life.
Kurodani Japanese Paper
Kouzo (a paper mulberry) and clean water are found naturally in the Kurodani district of Ayabe city, and as such,Japanese paper has been produced in this district for a long time.
At present, a variety of Japanese paper, such as paper for calligraphy, prints, and books is produced in Kurodani. Paper craft objects, such as cushions, handbags and wallets, and folk-art articles, such as colored paper, strips of paper, postal cards, and envelopes, are also manufactured here.
The traditional hand-made Japanese paper technique is still preserved in Kurodani, and for this reason Kurodani is valuable as one of the few remaining genuine hand-made Japanese paper producing districts.