WSN announces: “Exotic Yukata Project”
Conceived by: Core members, WSN Japan & USA

Yukata is a casual cotton kimono worn in Japan during the summer months. Yukata, which is much easier to wear than silk kimono, is enjoyed for its lightness in weight and the coolness it offers during Japan’s hot and humid summers. Traditionally, yukata was patterned with indigo; present-day modern yukata is now usually patterned in brightly colored florals.

As kimono is worn less and less in Japan, traditional shibori techniques and production methods are being lost. The World Shibori Network (WSN) believes it essential to help preserve the traditional crafts of kimono production.

The Exotic Yukata Project is intended to inspire and stimulate Japan’s cottage industry surrounding shibori cotton yukata production. The WSN members aim to elevate the perception of yukata as a design canvas to a level that breaks conventional design rules, thus enabling us to appeal to Japan’s youth with this traditional craft.

The Exotic Yukata Project invites WSN members to create their own original yukata kimono cloth. Arimatsu and Narumi shibori artisans and producers from Japan will translate these individual designs into bolts of fabric and exhibit them alongside the WSN members’ original fabric designs. This will take place at the annual Shibori Festival during the first week of June 2004*. Japanese artisans will take custom orders for the production of these fabrics and WSN members/foreign artists will be paid royalties on sold yukata.

The traditional cotton kimono material will be supplied and shipped from the WSN world office located in Berkeley, CA, to those members who wish to participate.
Artists are encouraged, though not required, to use the entire bolt of cloth (13yds). The cloth may be decorated, patterned, and/or dyed to the artist’s choice. The artist is free to choose any means of _expression with this project. Traditional shibori methods are not required; mixed media or any experimentation may be used. Artists are encouraged to push their own limits, as well as the limits or the definition of the traditional kimono and its surface design.

* Artists are responsible for shipping to Japan. Deadline for final product by June 1 2004. For more information…

PLEASE CONTACT us with your interest preferably via email (yiwada@pacbell.net) or by fax (510 527 0231). E-mail subject line: “YUKATA YES” and please include your shipping address.