ACTIVITY

Our Teacher, Chinatsu Nagamune will lead us through the process of learning all the basic skills involved in Ai Katazome. Chinatsu will gently guide you through an introduction to materials and process, cultivation of your own unique vision, and implementation for a successful outcome. We will be making unique stencils by hand and then applying a resist paste to fabric to create a unique and beautiful surface design when the cloth eventually meets the indigo vat. You will gain an introductory knowledge of indigo and rice dyeing so that you may continue this work or aspects of this practice in your own making.

You will come away with original, indigo dyed fabric pieces which can be used for all kinds of things — wall hangings, mending projects, quilting, clothing, etc.

COMMUNAL STITCHING

Each evening we will gather for a beautiful dinner feast, and embroider on a communal tablecloth. This project will bring us together at the end of the day - allowing for continued stitching practice and conversation, and connecting us to the part of the craft which historically took place, side by side. The finished cloth is an embroidered recording of this retreat. We look forward to your addition to our legacy cloth!

There will also be other evening opportunities for sitting and stitching, both in solitude and with your newfound friends!

ABOUT KATAZOME

Literally meaning to ‘dye with stencil.’ Evidence of this technique is found as early as 800 AD in the Nara period of Japan. The technique bloomed into the elaborate craft that we know today, later in the Edo and Meiji periods, resulting in breathtaking and masterful yardage used in the home and in kimonos. Carefully cut katagami (persimmon soaked paper, cut into ornate and complex designs) are used as stencils through which a resist paste made of rice flour is pushed onto awaiting cloth. The cloth, now carrying the design is immersed into a dye vat. Any remaining exposed cloth takes the dye, leaving the crisply articulated design.

Imagination is the only limit to what can be achieved on your cloth.

CUISINE

Private dining experiences will be curated by Tatter, as well as other well-known chefs and restaurants in the area.