Kyoto Art Panel / Mandarin Duck

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

This is an art panel using the Kyoyuzen technique.
Instead of expressing perspective with shades of color, the layering of fabrics gives the viewer a greater sense of perspective. It depicts a mandarin duck swimming gracefully, and the mandarin duck has a meaning of marital bliss.
Why don't you feel the traditional beauty of Japan in your room?

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：400 years ago / 1600AD / Edo period in Japan

Kyo-yuzen originated with Miyazaki Yuzenzai, a fan painter (a craftsman who paints pictures on fans) who was active in Kyoto. During the Edo period (1603-1868), a law was issued prohibiting extravagance and calling on people to be thrifty. As a result, extravagant kimonos with gilding, tie-dyeing, embroidery, etc. were banned. However, it developed "Kyo-yuzen" a colorful and beautiful dyed kimono, which was a cutting-edge fashion that attracted the attention of the masses.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Masashige Uenaka / Somekobo Masashige
A craftsman who has been making kyo-yuzen in Kyoto since 1991, from design to dyeing. I have loved drawing pictures since I can remember and studied a wide variety of drawings. Since I do everything from designing to finishing by myself, I am good at expressing customers' "thoughts" in a concrete manner.

Craftsman Passion

"If you believe in your strengths and make use of them, a path will open up for you"
Because the studio where I apprenticed was an integrated kimono workshop, I could handle the entire kimono production process on my own. Taking advantage of this strength, I began to sell original products by designing and coloring them on my own. I used the same techniques, but modernized classic designs and used two different transparent fabrics to create a sense of perspective. By taking advantage of the fact that I can handle the entire process, I was able to open the way for me to take on new challenges without being limited to only kimonos.

Achievement

Designated as a traditional craftsman of Kyo-Mono in 2013

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Width：30cm
Height：73.5cm
Depth：2.5cm
Weight：800g

Material & Caution

Materials

Silk：Textile
Wood：Frame

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Delivery Date

Please note that it will take about 2 months for delivery if we do not have the item in stock.