Japanese Shibori Dyeing (birth of tie and dye)

Many different cultures across the world have use tie and dye techniques for treating textiles for many years. Japanese Shibori has its origines in China and was originally introduced to Japan around 1300 year ago. Shibori become a popular method for decorating textile fabrics within Japan. The main dye used was indigo and,to a lesser extent,maddar and purple root,which explain the beautiful indigo blue color,presented in most Shibori art works.Shibori dying in indigo was especially popular amongst the lower class in Japan.Unable to  afford expensive fabrics like cotton and silk cheap hemp clothing was widespread.Shibori emerged as a technique to renew old,faded,stained and damaged clothes. The term ‘ Shibori’ comes from the Japanese’Shibori meaning twisted and pressed. This technique is a way of making patterns on  fabric through exposing only some portions of the fabric to dye. Insially people who were rich they were luxury fabric and so new way of decorating the cheaper linen and hemp fabrics. This is whrer Shibori began to play a significant role in Japanese textile production.Through the manipulation of fabrics prior to dyeing rich and fascinating pattern could be development which lifted ‘plain’ fabrics such as hemp into the extraordinary.The intricacy and beauty of Shibori dyed patterns allowed kimono garments made from these fabrics to exud a luxurious and unique quality similar to the richly painted,embroidered and woven ‘ forbidden’ silk and Shibori a popular choice for working class consumer.Shibori was used to refresh and renew damaged or worn clothes.