From October 22nd to 28th, the "Kata Komon Mitsuhashi Studio Exhibition" will be held in the kimono department on the 7th floor of the main building of Isetan Shinjuku. This is part of the store's "Isetan Japan Senses" initiative, which highlights Japanese traditions and culture.

"Kata Komon" is a stencil-dyed pattern created using the Edo bingata (stencil-dyed) technique, characterized by its unique use of color and innovative patterns. Bingata originated in Okinawa. Kimono stencil-dyed in vibrant tropical primary colors were once reserved for the royal family and samurai of the Ryukyu Dynasty. "Edo Bingata" was created by adapting bingata to the more subdued tastes favored in the Kanto region and dyeing them using Edo stencil-dyeing techniques. It was Mitsuhashi Eizo, the fifth-generation head of Mitsuhashi Studio, who popularized Edo Bingata.

However, the person showcasing the work of this Mitsuhashi Studio exhibition will be the sixth-generation head, Mitsuhashi Kyoko. After marrying the fifth-generation kimono maker's son, her husband suddenly passed away. She resolved to take over the workshop herself, devoting herself to training while raising her children. Her father-in-law was worried about her dedication, but she continued to return to her workshop alone, practicing applying starch with a spatula, after the other craftsmen had gone to bed or early in the morning. Her efforts eventually paid off, and she was recognized for her work in modernizing traditional komon dyeing, earning her an Edogawa Ward Intangible Cultural Property designation. The beauty of her creations is so captivating that simply gazing upon them is captivating. Everything from the color combinations to the size and placement of the patterns is elegant. Wearing them naturally refines every movement. This exhibition and sale focuses on half-width obi sashes (approximately ¥35,000). While there is a wide selection of fashion accessories, we encourage you to experience the power of the kimonos on display. Fashion accessories such as pouches (2,500 yen), clasps (2,500 yen), and wallets (6,800 yen) are all reasonably priced, so if you are encountering katakomon for the first time, why not start by finding an accessory that you like?