This time, I had the pleasure of speaking with Takashi Kamataki (art name: Ryusei) of Ryusei Workshop, a master of Tokyo hand-painted Yuzen.
What is “The Three Great Yuzen Styles”?
Mr. Kamataki originally loved drawing illustrations, which led him into the world of hand-painted Yuzen through an introduction from an acquaintance of his father.
Today, he is an officially recognized traditional craftsman of Japan and has been awarded the prestigious Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays by the Cabinet Office.
Yuzen is a traditional Japanese dyeing technique in which patterns are painted directly onto fabric—such as kimono—using a brush, much like painting a picture. It originated in the Genroku period and is one of Japan’s most iconic dyeing methods.
The process involves first creating a design on paper, then transferring and dyeing it onto white fabric. A key feature is the use of paste (resist), which prevents dyes from bleeding, allowing for crisp outlines and beautifully separated colors.
While natural plant dyes were traditionally used, modern works often use chemical dyes for better color stability.
Tokyo hand-painted Yuzen is considered one of the Three Great Yuzen styles of Japan, alongside Kyo Yuzen and Kaga Yuzen.
- Kyo Yuzen: elegant and ornate
- Kaga Yuzen: influenced by samurai aesthetics
- Tokyo Yuzen: refined, embodying the chic spirit of Edo
Unlike Kyo and Kaga Yuzen, which are often produced through a division of labor, Tokyo Yuzen is uniquely crafted entirely by a single artisan from start to finish.
The World of Yuzen by Mr. Kamataki
When creating designs on kimono fabric, Mr. Kamataki approaches his work like directing a film—deciding on a central theme, identifying the main subject, and envisioning the overall flow of the design.
From there, he expands his ideas, carefully selecting techniques and colors to develop a cohesive composition across the entire piece.
While Yuzen is traditionally associated with floral and classic patterns, Mr. Kamataki also incorporates modern elements such as charming illustrations and pop-inspired designs.
In recent years, his work has expanded beyond kimono to include items tailored to customer needs—such as clothing, pouches, and smartphone cases—making Yuzen more accessible in everyday life.
He also offers Yuzen coloring workshops and classes, available both in person and online.
Yuzen is a highly flexible art form, and with practice, anyone can create their own original pieces.
If you’re interested, I highly recommend trying a Yuzen coloring experience yourself!
友禅は自由度が高く、どなたでも一定期間の修練を積むことで、
オリジナルの作品などの製作が可能とのこと
是非、友禅色付け体験をして、ご自身オリジナルの作品を
作ってみてくださいね！
Impressions
When I viewed his works, I was struck by the gentle and refined use of color.
It was clear that each piece is thoughtfully designed with the wearer in mind—considering how the kimono will look when worn, and how the colors enhance elegance and beauty.
Wearing one of Mr. Kamataki’s creations would truly highlight feminine grace.
Thank you very much.
Profile: Takashi Kamataki (Ryusei)
＜鎌滝 隆生（りゅうせい）＞
Art Name: Ryusei
Profession: Tokyo Hand-Painted Yuzen Artist / Traditional Craftsman
Affiliation: Tokyo Dyeing and Craft Association
- Certified Traditional Craftsman by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
- Tokyo Metropolitan Traditional Craftsman
- Master Artisan of Bunkyo City
- Tokyo Meister
- Recipient of the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays
He produces and sells kimono such as furisode, tomesode, and homongi, as well as obi and traditional accessories.
He also runs Yuzen classes and participates in demonstrations and workshops at schools, department stores, and various events, expanding the reach of this traditional art form.
Through his dedication, tradition continues to evolve—bridging the beauty of Edo with modern creativity.
