Shibori: The Inventive Art of Japanese Shaped Resist Dyeing

by Jane Barton, Mary Kellogg Rice, Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada

Book Overview

Potential for creating designs in textiles can be seen even in the physical properties of cloth. The simple fact that cloth tightly compressed into wrinkles or folds resists the penetration of dye is an opportunity-an opportunity to let the pliancy of textiles speak in making designs and patterns.

People around the world have recognized this opportunity, producing resist designs in textiles by shaping and then securing cloth in various ways...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1568363966
• ISBN13: 9781568363967
• Release Date: February 2012
• Publisher: Kodansha
• Length: 304 Pages
• Weight: 2.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 8.2" x 11.7"

Customer Reviews

Fiber Artists Respond to 'Shibori'

In the spring or early summer of 2003 the Surface Design Conference was held in Kansas City sponsored by the KC Art Institute. This conference is an association of mostly fiber or fabric artists that is held periodically for the membership. It was attended by artists from throughout the US and several overseas countries. Yoshiko Wada attended and spoke to the conferees. Special sessions were set aside for her to autograph the book, "Shibori." The reception given by the artists attending is recommendation enough. I second the comments of the other reviewers about the quality of the writing and illustrations. Yoshiko Wada is a vibrant and astute advocate for fabric arts and shibori techniques. The text serves as a wookbook for designers, artists, teachers and collector/buyers. Among the dozens of exhibitions of fabric art throughout the city was one by Cara Boelts, a 2003 graduate of the KC Art Institute and chosen by the faculty as one of the students worthy to be featured during the Conference. She has developed an innovation in shibori dying that includes not only patina but burn out. Her exhibition of approximately a dozen wall hangings was visited by 100s of conferees and drew praise almost universally. The ultimate compliment, major Kansas City artists and many conferees bought half or more of the pieces exhibited. Yoshiko Wada found it to be a new technique in shibori and said she would include a description of it in any future editions of 'Shibori.' During the conference the book was sold at the KC Art Institute, but also at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, whic has one of the world class collections of oriental art. 'Shibori' is still available in its bookstore/gift shop. An excellent book. Paul Williams, North Kansas City MO

Great Book on Shibori

I love this book, it is a great inspiration! Each time I pick it up, I see something new and artistic in the techniques. The illustrations, photos, examples, and steps are wonderfully laid out. It is well worth the cost, as one can tell there was much passion put into completing the book. It is a favorite!

an aesthetic feast; an easy-to-follow, practical handbook

This book must be The Definitive volume on Shibori. It contains a wealth of information on the creation and development of the art, background information on the culture which nourished it, and biographical information on some of the principle artists responsible for its evolution. The illustrations are at least as impressive as the text. The book contains hundreds of photographs, both of completed garments and of swatches created through the use of the various techniques detailed in the book. The instructions for re-creating those patterns are clearly explained and easy to follow. Most remarkably, this book would serve equally well as a reference work or even a "coffee-table" book for those with an interest in textile art or art history, or as a manual for the textile artist. Although it is costly, the book represents an excellent value since it would take a lifetime (literally) to begin to exhaust the creative possiblities presented in it. It is a most worthwhile investment.

The most complete book in print on Shibori art and technique

This book is a thorough and exhaustive study of the art and techniques of shibori, the Japanese style of what is popularly known as tie dye. What this book will show you, however, goes far beyond the simple craft we associate with T shirts. In Japan techniques of stitching, tying, or clamping fabric produce designs of enormous complexity and beauty. The descriptions are detailed and accompanied by photographs and drawings that clearly show both the pattern and the technique used to achieve it. In addition color illustrations show completed pieces, both traditional and modern. Whether you want to try this craft or simply enjoy the art of beautiful textiles, this book is the one to get. It is unfortunate that it has never been published in a less expensive edition, but there is no other book on shibori that is even faintly equivalent.