"Komon" is a kind of traditional textile dying method that is 
characterized by a fine pattern of tiny dots.  The first kyo-komon
or Kyoto-komon patterns were creacted 1,200 years ago.  
The art was perfected during the Muromachi Period.  
Some komon clothing worn by warriors of Sengoku period (1467 - 1568) 
are still in excellent condition today.

  Komon was the preferred official attire of feudal loads for 
over 400 years because of its sober and serene appearance.
After the Meiji period (1868 - 1912), komon designs, based on new 
techniques, became more colorful.

  Kyo-komon and Kyo-yuzen, both of which use rich colorful designs 
and are known for their elegance, influenced each other and 
developed together.  Patterns are cut into three or four sheets
of Japanese paper layered so that the fibers of alternating sheets 
are perpendicular to each other.

  The plain cloth is first dyed with the back-ground color, then 
put on a board called a "yuzenita" which is coated with starch. 
Pattens are placed over the fabric and colored starch is applied 
with a tracing applied a tracing spatula.  In the next process, 
called "jizome" or ground dyeing, portions of the fabric left 
blank after the pattern dyeing are dyed by rubbing in colored
starch with a tracing spatula or with a brush.  The fabric is 
steamed to male the color stick well, and then washed in water.

  Recently, Kazuo Ikeda, a wellknown modern komon designer, 
invented a new design which has beautiful graduated colors.  
In 1998 his works won the Good Design Award of the Japanese 
Ministry of International Trade and Industry.  

  Mr.Ikeda's studio used to be surrounded by 100 others; 
now he is the only one left.  If you're interested in komon,
call his studio at +81-075-841-7001(only japanese spoken).
E-mail to Kazuo Ikeda.