Some no Komichi – Fabric Dyeing Festival

“Some no Komichi” is a festival highlighting the art of dyeing and screen printing in the Nakai/Ochiai area of Shinjuku ward. Traditionally, dye producers were located along the banks of the Myoshoji River which runs through the area. On clear days, colourful kimono fabrics were hung out to dry outside the factories. As an artistic tribute to this heritage, 50 to 60 long pieces of kimono cloth will be draped on wires above the river as a “River Gallery”. The shopping area will also be decorated with 87 specially produced noren – the dyed curtain-like fabric that you often see hanging in front of the entrances to restaurants, onsen and shops selling traditional wares.

As well as just looking, you can also participate. There will tours of a dye factory at which you will be able to try some traditional dyeing. The River Gallery will run from 10am to 5pm from Friday, February 24th through to Sunday the 26th. The start of the River Gallery and the shopping street are located right outside Nakai Station on the Seibu Shinjuku Line and on the Toei Oedo Line.

Image taken from Some no komichi web site.

(Greg Lane)