Tuesday, January 17, 2006

CARVING KATAZOME STENCILS, NAGOYA JAPAN



Paper stencils are used in Japan for resist patterns. This is known as the katazome process. Rice paste is applied through the stencil onto the fabric. Then the dye is brushed on or it is dyed in indigo. The rice paste resists the dye.

The paper (katagami) used for katazome is called shibugami. It undergoes a long process to make the paper relatively waterproof and malleable. Two or more pieces of paper are laminated with the tannin-rich persimmon juice then cured and smoked in a kiln.

A stencil artisan is a highly specialized master, he might specialize in a certain design or technique. Special tools are used for carving and punching.