HISTORY
Nishijin-ori mask of Shinsengumi
At the onset of pandemic, the Japanese market has recently introduced a face mask with the theme of the Shinsengumi. This mask, in a light blue color, features the character "makoto" embroidered on both sides along with its English counterpart, "Shinsengumi." While themed face masks are no longer a novelty, what stands out about this one is its material—it's crafted from Nishijin-ori, a traditional textile from the Nishijin district of Kyoto.
What is so special about Nishijin-ori? Nishijin-ori is one of Japan's most representative traditional textiles and is a renowned product of Kyoto. It is said that in the early days, textiles supplied to the imperial court were all crafted by skilled artisans living in the Nishijin district of present-day Kamigyo Ward in Kyoto. During the period of 1467 to 1477, Kyoto was embroiled in civil unrest known as the Ōnin War, which divided the city into Eastern and Western factions. After the turmoil, the textile artisans returned to Kyoto to resume their work, congregating around the area of Horikawa Imadegawa, which happened to be the location of the Western faction's headquarters during the war. Consequently, all textiles produced in this area with various dyed patterns came to be known as Nishijin-ori. Due to the traditional attire customs in Japan, which emphasize the combination of dyed kimono with woven obi belts, Nishijin-ori, as a high-quality textile, gradually became synonymous with obi belts made of brocade. In 1976, it was officially designated as a traditional craft by the Japanese government.
The city of Kyoto currently hosts the Nishijin-ori Museum, where visitors can appreciate the craftsmanship of textile artisans up close and learn about the interesting history of Nishijin-ori. Visitors can also experience hands-on weaving using traditional looms. As the market evolves, the museum has also introduced original products including small cloth bags, handkerchiefs, tote bags, and neckties made of Nishijin-ori, promoting this traditional technique through various means.
The recently launched Nishijin-ori face mask was supervised by the monthly magazine "Rekishijin”. In addition to the Shinsengumi, they have also designed two other masks featuring Oda Nobunaga and Sakamoto Ryoma. Featuring alongside these two prominent historical figures, this shows the significant status and popularity of the Shinsengumi in the hearts of the Japanese population.
These masks were released for online sale on March 24th 2021, priced at 3,000 yen, approximately HKD $215. While their effectiveness as protective gear may not be top-notch, they serve as collectible memorabilia for fans.
Source:https://nishijin-mask.com
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