Kaga Yuzen Artist Yomei Hirano KANAZAWA EXPERT #1
KANAZAWA EXPERT” is a project to introduce artists, craftspeople, and other professionals in Kanazawa, a city with a long history of culture, who are sharing their traditional skills and Kanazawa's history and culture with visitors. We will ask these people, who are also guides with a thorough knowledge of Kanazawa, about experiences that can only be had here and ways to enjoy Kanazawa. This time, we interviewed Mr. Toshiaki Hirano of “Yuzen Kobo Yomei,” a studio not far from Kanazawa Station, who not only works as an artist but also conveys the charm of Kaga Yuzen to many people through hands-on classes.
I was proud even as a child that my grandfather and father were making Kaga Yuzen.
How did you get into this field, Mr. Hirano?
My grandfather ran a dye shop, one of only about five in Kanazawa at the time, and specialized in “jizome” dyeing the entire kimono with a brush to create the base color. My father naturally followed in his father's footsteps, and I grew up watching them both. To me as a child, Kaga Yuzen had the image of a luxury item. Even as a child, I was proud that my grandfather and father were making Kaga Yuzen. As I saw many artists' works through the final process of jizome, I thought that I would like to work as an artist in the future, so I decided to pursue this path.
Please tell us about your current work and what you find rewarding about it.
I make custom-made kimonos and accept orders for hands-on experience. The most rewarding part of my job is when I receive a direct request and am pleased when I deliver the finished product. Many people think of Kaga Yuzen as kimono, but we also work on interior decorations such as tapestries and clothing.
Experience the essence of yuzen, a highly flexible painting experience
What are the attractions and points of the experiences available at “Yuzen Kobo Yoakei”?
In addition to coloring experiences for L-size photographs and colored paper, we also offer custom-made experiences according to your wishes. Our goal is to let you experience the essence of yuzen. We try to give lectures in small groups, so that each person can get to know the essence of yuzen.
One of the features of our experience is that there is a high degree of freedom, and there are many types of patterns to choose from. There are always 30 types of underglaze paintings available, including not only the typical Kaga Yuzen flower, bird, wind, and moon patterns, but also landscapes, animals, plants, food, and many others. In addition to the 12 or so colors available at the beginning, we can also create more detailed colors upon request. We want each customer to have a fulfilling experience and take home a “work of art” that they have created themselves.
Take a walk along the Asano River and feel the atmosphere of downtown Kanazawa.
What are the attractions of Kanazawa and what spots do you recommend, Mr. Hirano?
My grandfather and father used to do “Yuzen-nagashi” (Yuzen floating) at the Asano River that runs through the neighborhood after dyeing and steaming at their workshop, so the river has been a familiar part of my life since I was a child. Even now, when I need a break from work, I take a walk along the Asano River to refresh myself and relax.
What does “Kanazawa” mean to you?
It is a city that I am proud of as a place to live. It is interesting that the city keeps changing day by day, and I never get tired of it even though I have lived here for many years. For tourists, I highly recommend staying overnight, rather than taking a day trip. The more time you spend in Kanazawa, the more things you can experience and the more you will be able to experience the charm of Kanazawa.
Toshiaki Hirano, Yuzen Studio Yomei
Born in Kanazawa in 1962. After completing graduate school at Kanazawa College of Art and Design in 1988, he worked for a year as an apprentice at Sakurai Dyeing Co. In 1993, his work was accepted for the first time at the Japan Modern Crafts Exhibition, in 1994 it was accepted for the first time at the Nitten Exhibition, in 1995 it won the Gold Prize at the Traditional Kaga Yuzen Crafts Exhibition, and in 1999 it won the Contemporary Crafts Prize at the Japan Modern Crafts Exhibition. In March 2021, he moved his studio to Kanazawa.
