Shibori Dyed Yukata Kimono

Tie-dying, or “shibori”, dates back to the eighth century in Japan. Applying shibori techniques to informal cotton kimonos, or “yukata”, originated in Owari prefecture in the late 17th century and they have since endured as summer garments. The dark spots were made by pinching the fabric and tying it off, in order to resist the dye. The notched lines that delineate the large, diagonal stripes are an example of stitch-resist, in which a row of hand stitching is pulled tight for the dying process and afterwards removed.