Noren Curtain / Kyoto Dyed / Cat Motif

Since ancient times, noren featuring cat motifs have been cherished in Japan as lucky charms, with the iconic “maneki-neko” (beckoning cat) being a well-known example.
These charming cat designs are perfect for entrances to homes, cafés, or gift shops, offering a warm and welcoming touch to those who pass through.

With their simple yet elegant aesthetic, these noren blend beautifully into both Japanese-style and Western-style interiors.
They are also popular as gifts for cat lovers, bringing a subtle sense of comfort and a delightful piece of Japanese cultural tradition into everyday life.

Width：88cm
Height：150cm
Weight：450g

Cotton 100%

SHOBIEN KYOTO

I want to convey the beauty of roketsu-zome.

In roketsu-zome, melted wax is applied to fabric before it is dyed.

This wax acts as a resist—known as bōsen—to prevent colors from blending.
While Yuzen-zome uses colored paste for this purpose, roketsu-zome allows the wax to naturally crack during the process,
creating beautifully irregular and expressive patterns in the final dyed fabric.

We invite you to enjoy the charm of these organic, one-of-a-kind patterns that only roketsu-zome can offer.

ARTISAN STORY

SHOBIEN KYOTO
Since our founding in 1963, our workshop has been captivated by wax dyeing and has devoted itself exclusively to wax.
The greatest appeal lies in the gentleness and softness that wax cracking brings out. We strive to ensure that our customers truly appreciate the beauty of hand-painted work, and we will continue to work diligently without forgetting our pride and efforts as craftsmen.

KYO YUZEN / KYOTO SILK DYEING

About 340 years ago / 1680s / Edo Period (1603–1868)

Kyo Yuzen took a decisive form in Kyoto’s Genroku era, when designs by the celebrated fan painter Miyazaki Yuzensai were applied to kimono. Fine paste-resist lines allowed many colors to be painted next to one another like a picture, establishing hand-painted Yuzen. In the Meiji period, stencil-based Yuzen greatly expanded production.

In Japan, Kyo Yuzen represents formal celebratory kimono worn for coming-of-age ceremonies, weddings and other important occasions. Brilliant dyeing may be combined with gold and embroidery, while the same techniques now appear on bags, scarves and interiors.

A single kimono can pass through more than twenty stages—design, underdrawing, resist application, coloring, steaming, washing, gold decoration and more. Different specialists often handle each stage, making Kyo Yuzen less the product of one maker than a collaborative artwork created by Kyoto’s craft network.

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.