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12 hands 88 days.
CHITAWA Co., Ltd. is kimono & Textile company founded 93 years ago.
CHITAWA has now launched a new brand, "1288."
This white fabric is meticulously woven with particular attention to thread quality, weaving method, and texture.
Each piece is meticulously dyed by hand by artisans.
This work showcases the skills of some of Japan's most skilled craftsmen.
This art panel, meticulously crafted over 88 hours by 12 hands, is imbued with passion and skill.
Manufacturing Process
It takes 12 hands and 88 hours to create our art panels．
The process is divided between a number of skilled craftsmen,
sometimes with great delicacy, sometimes with great courage.
Without all of these processes, the art panel would not be possible.
White fabric
Hands performing the painstaking task of knitting thread into long pieces of fabric.The fabric is woven from natural silk fibers, and its texture and feel vary depending on the twist and arrangement of the warp and weft threads.
Dyeing
The hands of the artisans apply multiple layers of light colors to dye the fabric to the desired hue.
Originating in the Heian period (794–1185) and flourishing in Edo (modern Tokyo), Hikizome represents the root of Japan’s dyeing traditions.
In this technique, a large brush soaked with dye is drawn smoothly and evenly across the fabric.
While the basic style produces a uniform solid color, variations include gradients and subtle shading, allowing for delicate expression.
The Hikizome (hand-dyeing) technique embodies the spirit of putting one’s heart into craftsmanship, carrying the meaning of “dyeing happiness” through sincere, mindful work.
Because the process involves dyeing with water, it is also regarded as a symbol of purification and cleansing.
”White ”
White symbolizes purity and new beginnings, and is considered a color that brings good fortune. It represents a state of innocence, untainted by anything, and therefore signifies "restart," "reset," and "a clean departure."
”Black”
Black is the color that encompasses all others. Because black is a "light-absorbing color," it has been believed since ancient times to possess the power to ward off evil and protect against misfortune. Due to its unchanging strength, black is also regarded as a symbol of permanence and prosperity.
Traditional techniques
Hands processing with traditional techniques.
Haku Ichimatsu Gold Application"
The "Haku Ichimatsu Gold Application" is a technique where an artisan, utilizing skills cultivated over many years, applies an extremely thin layer of adhesive and then carefully places gold leaf, one sheet at a time, to create a subtle, delicate texture that appears slightly faded.
Currently, only one artisan in Japan is capable of performing this specific process.
This auspicious pattern symbolizes eternal prosperity and development, celebrating them with the brilliance of the gold leaf. It represents an Ichimatsu (checkered) pattern expressed entirely in precious foils (Haku).
Gold foil is considered a symbol of wealth, success, protection, and happiness.
Silver foil is regarded as a symbol of purification, tranquility, rebirth, and elegance.
Frame making
Hands creating a wooden frame for an art panel.
Stretch the fabric
Hands stretching fabric onto a wooden frame for an art panel.
