Ise Katagami Cooperative

Ise Katagami is said to have already had a stencil industry by the Muromachi period — developing during the Edo period under the protection of the Kishu Domain as an existence supporting dyers nationwide: samurai kamishimo, townspeople komon, yukata fabric. The combination of katajigami techniques cultivated in the Shiroko area with the high techniques of stencil carving craftsmen — Japan's unique dyeing culture blossomed, like fine komon patterns and multi-colored yuzen.

In 1982, the Ise Katagami Cooperative was established as a body unifying the "Ise Katajigami Manufacturing Cooperative," "Japan Chusen Stencil Cooperative," and "Ise Dye Stencil Sales Cooperative" — becoming an existence bearing technical inheritance and revitalization of the entire producing region. Currently 15 members belong — sharing the appeal of Ise Katagami through various activities: traditional craft industry promotion association projects, experience classes at educational institutions, and participation in events nationwide.

Craftsmen belonging to the Ise Katagami Cooperative are called "katasho" — accommodating diverse orders: original dyeing stencils, one-point patterns, experience-use stencils, and designs for interior and architecture. Cases of space production and products leveraging traditional patterns are also increasing — partition panels with stencils sandwiched between windows or partitions, decorations of commercial facilities, and corporate novelty goods.

At the Suzuka City Traditional Industry Hall in Jike, Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture — through exhibitions, demonstrations, and workshops of Ise Katagami and Suzuka ink — visitors can experience the atmosphere, sound, and texture that can only be felt on-site. Meanwhile, through the official site, online shop, virtual tour, and SNS — providing content where the Ise Katagami world can be touched even from afar. While connecting region and online, continuing manufacturing and information sharing that makes you feel "Ise Katagami is nice — I want to use it."

Nationally-designated "Traditional Craft (tool)" — Ise Katagami's thousand-year producing region

Ise Katagami are dyeing stencils used for dyeing patterns for yuzen, komon, and yukata — said to have a history of over a thousand years. The high technique of carving intricate patterns into strong katajigami paper made by gluing Mino washi with persimmon tannin was evaluated, and in 1983 designated as a national traditional craft (tool). Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture continues to support dyers and artists nationwide as the major producing region.

From katajigami making to carving — a single "stencil" embodying craftsman techniques

Ise Katagami creation begins with making katajigami: cutting 200-500 sheets of Mino washi to standard size, then gluing three sheets — vertical, horizontal, vertical — with persimmon tannin into a plywood-like form. By repeating sun drying and smoke treatment, the paper finishes strong and resistant to expansion/contraction. Then techniques like kiri-bori, tsuki-bori, dogu-bori, and shima-bori carve patterns through, raising the design as a dimensional "stencil."

From kimono to interior and goods — Ise Katagami products that color daily life

The Ise Katagami Cooperative — in addition to kimono dyeing stencils — develops many Ise Katagami products easy to incorporate into modern life: goshuincho books, washi goods, accessories, clear files, interior panels. The online shop features dyeing stencils with traditional patterns for sale, plus "Ise Katagami products" that blend into daily life through the cuts of clothing, food, housing, and entertainment.

"Use and learn" through experiences, workshops, and virtual tours

Through demonstrations and experience classes at the Suzuka City Traditional Industry Hall, online workshops, virtual tours, and video content "ISEKATA Channel" — offering learning places beyond "just looking." Through events like collaboration workshops with Pokemon "Mijumaru," the Ise Katagami Festa, and the Tokyo Exhibition — continuing to share the craft and appeal with the next generation.