— Photo: M. Soundariya Preetha

INTRICATE ART: A stencil painting at the Kodai Yuzen-en and Gallery in Kyoto, Japan.

Kyoto (Japan): It is a souvenir that is self-made on a foreign soil. An art that transcends geographical and language barriers. A group of journalists on a tour of Japan recently tried their hands at the traditional Yuzen stencil dyeing process on a handkerchief and returned home with their "masterpiece" as souvenirs.

The journalists from seven countries were on a tour organised by the Sharp Corporation. A visit was scheduled to the Kodai Yuzen-en and Gallery on the final day.

Traditional method

The scribes travelled through the 1.6-km tunnel connecting Osaka and Kyoto prefectures, listening to the tour guide on the history of Japan's ancient capital. The first stop for the day would be at the gallery, located on the western side of Kyoto city. And, the visitors would get a chance to dye a handkerchief in the traditional method.

At the Gallery, a 30-year old museum of kimonos, the group went straight to the Yuzen Handmade Corner on the third floor.

Lying neatly were rows of wooden tables and benches with white handkerchiefs spread on boards.

Each table had a different pattern displayed and visitors could choose the one they wanted, said the 80-year-old trainer, Hiroshi Yamamoto. He was a professional in kimono dyeing. As the group settled down, Mr. Yamamoto explained the stencil painting process in Japanese and translated by Ikuko Okada, the guide.

Stencils with numbers marked on top were passed on with colour boxes (that also bore numbers)and brushes. The colour to be used for each stencil was identified by matching the numbers.

Colour riot

What followed was a splash game with colours. After painting the pattern, the visitors signed on their handkerchiefs.

The trainer gave the final touch.

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