What is Isesaki Meisen?
What is MEISEN?
What is Meisen?
Meisen spread throughout Japan from the Taisho to Showa eras, and was a popular form of everyday wear and fashion for women.
By definition, it is a plain weave fabric made from 100% silk and dyed in the yarn.
Northern Kanto is the main production area, and Kiryu, Ashikaga, Chichibu, Hachioji, and Isesaki are representative areas. They were known as the five major production areas.
What is ISESAKI MEISEN?
What is Isesaki Meisen?
Isesaki Meisen is characterized by its unique patterns and vivid colors, which are achieved through a highly advanced technique called "Heiyo Gasuri." With this technique, patterns are dyed not only on the warp threads but also on the weft threads, and each thread is hand-woven together during weaving to create sharp, beautiful patterns. However, this technique has fallen into decline and is no longer produced.
Isesaki Meisen in Gunma Prefecture was the largest production area. It developed against the backdrop of a silk-raising culture that has continued since the Nara period, and was loved by so many people that it is said that one in ten Japanese women wore it from the Meiji to Showa periods.
Isesaki, Gunma, Japan
Isesaki City, Gunma Prefecture, a city of textiles
Isesaki City is one of the two major silk-weaving production areas in Gunma Prefecture, along with Kiryu City. Sericulture has been popular in these areas for a long time, and the origins of silk weaving are said to date back to ancient times.
In the mid-Edo period, "Futoori Futori Shima" began to be woven as a side job for silkworm farmers during the off-season, and by the mid-Meiji period it had become a common fabric known as "Isesaki Meisen."