Hamamatsu Chusen-some (literally, pour dyeing) is a form of stencil dyeing unique to Japan that began in the Meiji period. A long piece of fabric is folded, then a paper stencil is used to apply a dye-resistant paste, after which the material is dyed. The technique is so named because it uses a kettle to pour dye onto the fabric through a long, narrow spout. Fabric dyed in this fashion has a dreamlike appearance with harmonious blurring of colors and freeform patterns with no distinct right and wrong side.

Chusen-some dyeing has been used in Hamamatsu to produce tenugui (hand towels) since the Meiji period (1887), and yukata since the Taisho period81912). Hamamatsu is one of three major production centers of Chusen-some yukata, along with Tokyo and Osaka. In 2001, Chusen-some dyeing was officially designated a local artisanal handicraft by the governor of Shizuoka Prefecture.

＜Introducing businesses Hamamatsu Chusen-some＞　　
　a Nihashi Some Kojo　       https://www.nihashi-tinta.co.jp/
　b WADA Dyeing factory　　https://www.hamamatsuchusen.com/
　c Muto senko　　                  https://mutosenko.co.jp/
　d Hikuma Some Kojo　      https://www.instagram.com/hikuma_senkoujou/

＜Products using Hamamatsu Chusen-some＞
Originally developed as a technique for dyeing tenugui (hand towels) and yukata(light, summer robes), Hamamatsu Chusen-some is known for producing highly-breathable clothing with supple textures. In recent years, this unique dyeing method has been used to design many products from shirts to handbags. In addition to the appeal of color schemes steeped in tradition, the interplay of colors blurring and leaching into one another creates alluring patterns and gorgeous, colorful designs.

①kimono cloth（NukumoriKoubou Co.Ltd/Kitaya//Hikumasomekoujyou）
②special envelope for a monetary gift（NukumoriKoubou Co.Ltd/Kitaya//Hikumasomekoujyou）
③tenugui drawstring bag（Enomoto Company LTD./Mutosenko）
④tenugui underwear pants（Enomoto Company LTD./Mutosenko）
⑤azuma bag（Enomoto Company LTD./Mutosenko）
⑥Hamamatsu Chusensome shirt（WADA Dyeing factory）
⑦azuma bag（WADA Dyeing factory）
⑧tenugui（WADA Dyeing factory）


Yukata（Shiraishoji/Nihashi Some Kojo）


＜The Contact Information＞
Enshu Textiles Promotion Committee
(Bureau of Hamamatsu City Industrial Department,Industrial Promotion Division)
sangyo@city.hamamatsu.shizuoka.jp