Katazome & Textile Arts
Traditional Craft,
Modern Science
I study and adapt historical stencil dyeing methods with modern chemistry. I seek to improve the dyeing process with scientific understanding, while retaining the traditional roots of sustainability and natural connection.
Articles
-
Fiber Reactive Bingata Dyeing
How to use procion fiber reactice dyes to make modern bingata (katazome) with shading and fine detail.
-
Nihon Akane Diary, Pt 2
It’s almost the start of summer here, and the days are getting longer. This journal would be more appropriately titled “Japanese Dye Plants Diary”, but the akane is the most unusual part I’m growing, and I already mistitled the first entry. Japanese Indigo has gotten popular, but we’re all growing it for a reason. Murasaki…
-
Nihon Akane Diary, Pt. 1
In December of 2025 I acquiring 6 packets of Japanese madder seedlings. This was done with the help of a friend living in Japan, and the seeds were imported legally through the USDA inspection process. The box arrived smashed, and open, but luckily the seeds hadn’t fallen out. As a note, you must use Japan…
Katagami
Antique Japanese paper stencils, photographed and digitized at high resolution.
![[四季の花々 (Shiki no Hanabana)] Flowers of the Four Seasons](https://firerabbitstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/IMG_9422-2-1024x439.jpg)
![[芦雁] Wild Geese and Reeds](https://firerabbitstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Black-and-white-geese-1024x454.png)
![[花の縁飾り] Flower Border](https://firerabbitstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Flower-Border-Thumbnail-1024x419.jpg)
![[魚と梅花] Fish and Plum Blossoms](https://firerabbitstudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Vector-Raster-copy-590x1024.jpg)
Shop
Katazome work is made to order or available when pieces exist. A noren or bolt of cloth represents a week or more of work and significant materials — prices reflect that. Each piece is documented here with its pattern origins and process.
Resources
Katazome resource guide
Suppliers, tools, dyes and references gathered over years of practice.
Explore →
Katagami archive
Antique paper stencils — restored, documented, available as printed fabric.
Browse →
Fabric sources
Where to find quality natural-fiber cloth for dyeing work.
Explore →
Beginner’s Guide To Katazome
A comprehensive guide to basic katazome techniques.
Read →