About Kurume Kasuri
Kurume Kasuri is cotton kasuri fabric produced mainly in Kurume City, Fukuoka Prefecture. Around 1800, a young girl named Inoue Den (age 12) of the Kurume domain is said to have invented the kasuri technique from patterns on worn clothing. 'Hon-gasuri' (true kasuri), where threads are tie-dyed by hand (tekukuri), preserves over 400 kasuri patterns. The deep indigo and white geometric patterns are characteristic. Recognized as one of Japan's Three Great Kasuri, it is also evaluated in the global fashion world.
Techniques & Materials
Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.
Techniques
手括り絣（てくくりがすり）藍染め手機織り
Materials
綿糸天然藍
Where to see & buy
Workshop names are in Japanese; links go to their official sites.
- 久留米絣技術保存会（産地にご確認ください） hands-on experience