【Main character】

Yoshikazu Fujimoto / Fabric (printing by wood stamps) Dyeing Artisan

Born in 1936. After graduating from high school, Mr. Fujimoto was introduced by his relatives to the Japanese traditional crafts artisan Mr. Magobei Ishii, and started studying the Edo-komon fabric printing technique under him.

For five years, he was trained as an unpaid, live-in apprentice. During his training, he encountered an old piece of cloth which used the ancient wood print dyeing technique, Mokuhanzome, which was to change his life. Since the encounter, he secretly pursued the study of the technique behind his master’s back, and after he became independent as a professional artisan, he continued the study of the technique for six years, and finally mastered it.

Although there are currently only two or authentic woodprint dyeing masters in Japan, Mr. Fujimoto continues to pass on and preserve its tradition. He has won numerous awards hosted by the Japan Textile Finishers Association, including a record of two grand prizes.