Made from natural fibres such as cotton, silk or linen, Japanese textiles are known for their subtle beauty and intricate designs. Traditional Japanese garments such as kimonos, yukatas and uchigin robes use different types of fabric to create unique textures. There are many different Japanese fabrics, and each one has a distinctive appearance and feel. Depending on the weaving technique used to make them, these textiles can be soft or stiff, thick or thin, coarse or fine. Each of these properties has an impact on how the garment will look and feel. Which type of textiles do you know?
Fukin
Fukin is a type of fabric made from silk and cotton. This fabric is woven so that the two types of fibres intermingle, creating a fabric with a smooth, soft feel and a subtle sheen. Traditionally, fukin fabrics were used for kimonos and other traditional Japanese garments, but they are also commonly used for making modern clothes, such as shirts and skirts. Fukin fabrics can be found in a wide variety of colours, including white, black, blue, green, orange, pink, red and yellow. These fabrics are often printed with designs, though fukin fabrics are also available in plain colours.
Woven cotton
Cotton fabrics are woven in a variety of weaves to create different types of fabrics. Plain weave, satin weave and basket weave are all types of weaves that can be used to make cotton fabrics. These fabrics are soft and comfortable to wear, but they lack the sheen of silk fabrics. Cotton fabrics are available in many different colours, including black, blue, brown, green, orange, pink, purple and red. Cotton fabrics can also be printed with designs.
Tsumugi
Tsumugi fabrics are woven from cotton fibres and natural plant dyes to create a thick, textured fabric with an uneven surface that looks like a knotted surface. Tsumugi fabrics are often used to make kimonos and other Japanese garments. These fabrics are available in both traditional Japanese designs and modern designs. Tsumugi fabrics are available in a wide range of colours, including black, blue, brown, green, orange, pink, purple, red and yellow.
Ura-meshi Meru and Meru-dori
Uragami Meru fabrics are made from cotton and natural plant dyes. These fabrics are woven so that the fibres are uneven and intermingled, creating a textured surface with a knotted effect. Uragami Meru fabrics are woven on an old-fashioned loom, which gives the fabric a rough, uneven surface. Meru-dori fabrics have the same weaving technique as Meru fabrics, but they have a softer, more even surface. Ura-meshi Meru and Meru-dori fabrics are often used to make kimonos and other Japanese garments. These fabrics are available in a wide range of colours, including black, blue, brown, green, orange, pink, purple, red, and yellow.
Mugan Meru and Mugan-dori kasuri
Mugan Meru fabrics are made from cotton and natural plant dyes. These fabrics are woven on a loom so that the fibres are uneven, creating a textured surface with a knotted effect. Mugan Meru fabrics are woven on an old-fashioned loom, which gives the fabric a rough, uneven surface. Mugan-dori fabrics have the same weaving technique as Mugan Meru fabrics, but they have a softer, more even surface. Mugan Meru and Mugan-dori kasuri fabrics are often used to make kimonos and other Japanese garments. These fabrics are available in a wide range of colours, including black, blue, brown, green, orange, pink, purple, red, and yellow.
Yuki Meru and Yuki-dori kasuri
Yuki Meru fabrics are made from cotton and natural plant dyes. These fabrics are woven to create a thick, textured fabric with an uneven surface that looks like a knotted surface. Yuki Meru fabrics are woven on an old-fashioned loom, which gives the fabric a rough, uneven surface. Yuki-dori fabrics have the same weaving technique as Yuki Meru fabrics, but they have a softer, more even surface. Yuki Meru and Yuki-dori kasuri fabrics are often used to make kimonos and other Japanese garments. These fabrics are available in a wide range of colours, including black, blue, brown, green, orange, pink, purple, red, and yellow.
Hatsu-ruchi Chushin-kane dyeing
Hatsu-ruchi Chushin-kane fabrics are made from cotton fibres and natural plant dyes. The fibres are unevenly woven to create a thick, textured fabric with an uneven surface that looks like a knotted surface. Hatsu-ruchi Chushin-kane, fabrics are woven using a very traditional weaving techniques known as Chushin-kane dyeing. This technique produces a coarse, uneven fabric that has a rustic appearance. Hatsu-ruchi Chushin-kane fabrics are often used to make kimonos and other Japanese garments. These fabrics are available in a wide range of colours, including black, blue, brown, green, orange, pink, purple, red, and yellow.
Conclusion
Japanese textiles are known for their beauty and quality, and the woven fabrics are no exception. From fukin to fuchikake, there are many different types of fabrics for you to choose from. Now that you know about each different type, you can choose the one that suits you best. With so many options, you're sure to find one that is just perfect for your next project.