1501 "Tutugaki" Japanese antique cloth 古布　筒描き　

″Tutugaki ″is one of the dyeing methods.

This is a dyeing method in which glue made by steaming glutinous rice is placed in a tube bag wrapped with astringent persimmon paper, and a pattern is drawn so that it is gradually extruded from the tube metal attached to the tip.

When the glue is removed with water, a white pattern appears.

Since the tube drawing is handwritten, it was a suitable method for drawing patterns on a large cloth.

During the Edo period, dyeing and weaving became familiar to the general public due to the cultivation of cotton and the development of cotton fabrics.

Therefore, indigo dyed cotton comes out from the warehouses of merchants and farmers' houses.

It was used as a curtain with a family crest and as a wedding tool for furoshiki, nightwear, and cloth for chests of drawers (yutan).

Most of the patterns drawn on the cylinders are used for weddings and other announcements and celebrations, so there are many auspicious patterns that wish for happiness.

Crane turtles on Shochikuume, tea utensils for treasure, phoenix, etc., are filled with wishes for wealth and good fortune.

Each item is specially ordered by a craftsman by a parent who wishes for the happiness of his daughter-in-law.
The craftsman will take that thought into consideration and make it a unique gift.

In addition, the colors and patterns show the characteristics of the region, and just looking at them makes you feel happy.


筒描とは染色法のひとつです。

もち米を蒸して作られた糊を、渋柿紙を巻いた筒袋の中に入れ、
先端に付けられた筒金から少しずつ押し出すように文様を描き防染する染色方法です。
糊を水で落とすと白抜きされた文様が現れます。
筒描は手書きですので、大きな布に文様を描くのに適した手法でした。

江戸時代、木綿の栽培と綿織物の発達から染織が庶民にも身近なものへとなっていきました。
その為、木綿に藍染のものが商人、農民の家の蔵から出てきます。

家紋入りの暖簾や婚礼道具として風呂敷・夜着・箪笥にかける布（油単 ゆたん）などに
使われていました。
筒描に描かれる文様は、そのほとんどが婚礼などお披露目やお祝いとして用いられることから幸せを願う吉祥文様が多く見られます。
松竹梅に鶴亀、宝尽くしに茶道具、鳳凰などなど、富貴・福寿を願う思いが込められています。
嫁ぐ娘の幸せを願う親が一点一点、職人に特別注文した品。
その思いを職人が汲み取り、他にはない贈り物へと仕上げたお品となります。

また、色使いや文様は、地方の特徴が表れており、見るだけで楽しい気分になります。