Kaga Yuzen Panel / Zosterops Japonicus

These art panels are dyed using the same technique used to make Kaga Yuzen kimonos.
Each piece is made entirely by hand, without the use of machines. The shading of the colors is skillfully manipulated to create a sense of depth.
Please enjoy the beautiful expression of the four seasons in Japan as seasonal interior decorations with the taste of yuzen dyeing!

Width：19cm
Length：19cm
Thickness：1.5cm
Weight：210g

Silk
Gold leaf

KENZO MAKINO

"I want people to feel the changes of the four seasons in Japan through my dyed works"

With this in mind, I create small works of art in addition to kimonos to convey the beauty of Kaga silk dyeing, which has a history of 500 years. The shades of color and the thickness and fineness of the lines convey the small gestures of nature in our daily lives.

ARTISAN STORY

Kenzo Makino
Since 1975, he has worked in Kyoto and Toyama prefectures, and is currently making Kaga silk dyeing in Ishikawa Prefecture. Yuzen is usually done by division of labor. However, the greatest feature of Kenzo Makino is that all processes from designing to finishing can be done consistently, and the skills and knowledge required are immeasurable. In addition to kimonos, the company offers a wide range of products such as art panels and necktie!.

ACHIEVEMENTS

・Received the Bronze Prize three times at the Traditional Kaga silk dyeing Craft Exhibition.
・Received the Ishikawa Prefecture Governor's Prize at the Kaga silk dyeing New Craft Exhibition
・Designated as a traditional craftsman in 2008
・He has received many other awards for their work.

KAGA YUZEN / KAGA SILK DYEING

About 500 years ago / 1500s / Muromachi–Sengoku Period

Kaga Yuzen grew from older plain-dyeing traditions in the Kaga region, with patterned dyeing developing during the seventeenth century. In the early eighteenth century, designs associated with Kyoto fan painter Miyazaki Yuzensai and paste-resist techniques influenced Kanazawa, where the craft matured into a highly naturalistic local style.

In Japan, Kaga Yuzen is regarded as a formal kimono tradition with restrained elegance. Its palette is often associated with the “Kaga Five Colors”—deep red, indigo, ochre, green and ancient purple—and its motifs are observed from nature with painterly care. Today the technique also appears on scarves and smaller accessories.

One particularly fascinating detail is the deliberate depiction of insect bites or withered areas on leaves. Rather than presenting flawless flowers, artisans may show nature aging and changing. Within luxurious decoration, imperfection becomes a sign of realism and life itself.

Individual Differences

As each piece is individually handcrafted, slight variations in color, pattern, shape, and texture may occur. These subtle differences are a natural characteristic of handcrafted works, making each piece truly unique. We hope you will enjoy these individual variations as part of the beauty and character of Japanese craftsmanship.

Production Time

If an item is not currently in stock, it may be made to order by the artisan. As each piece is carefully handcrafted, production may take several months depending on the item and the artisan's schedule. We appreciate your patience and understanding.