Yoshiharu Kondo
Kondo Senko
Kimono dyer
Koto City, Japan
Elegant simplicity in pure colour
- Yoshiharu works in one of the extremely rare solid-colour dyeing workshops in Tokyo
- He aims to preserve the overlooked Japanese aesthetic of single-colour beauty
- His experience allows him to achieve perfectly even colour across entire lengths of silk
Born into a family of dyers, Yoshiharu Kondo naturally carried on his father's legacy, becoming the second generation to lead the Kondo Senko workshop in Tokyo. “I work with iromuji solid dyeing, the art of achieving a single, perfect, deeply saturated colour across the entire length of a fabric,” he explains. The practice dates back to the late Edo period in the 17th century, reaching its peak in post-war Japan before finding a quieter, yet still relevant, place in the world of tea ceremony and flower arranging. Dedicated to the relentless and captivating work of adjusting and refining colours, Yoshiharu has turned his attention to gradients, exploring how depth and intensity can emerge from a single shade.
Discover his work
INTERVIEW
Colour matching is the most fascinating and challenging aspect about my work. The difficult process required to achieve the perfect shades is deeply absorbing. A skilled dyer creates real depth across both light and dark tones. There is a quality to colour combinations that feels like looking at a landscape: it draws you in.
My father was a master of red, but mixing red grows harder as eyesight ages. I find it increasingly demanding now, too. Even so, red is indispensable for expressing a sense of brightness and saturation. When used well, it can create a very interesting effect.
Beyond falling demand, retailers are closing, leaving few experts to guide customers on etiquette in choosing the right kimono the right occasion. Dressing in a kimono also requires paid assistance. Together, these factors have caused people to drift away from wearing them.
In Japan, solid colours carry great prestige. A single shade might seem simple, but it has a quiet force of its own. Even a plain coat in a subdued, well-chosen colour carries a natural dignity. In an age flooded with printed patterns and endless variety, I believe the value of simplicity remains unchanged.
Yoshiharu Kondo
Kondo Senko
Kimono dyer
Koto City, Japan
ADDRESS
Address upon request, Koto City, Japan
AVAILABILITY
By appointment only
PHONE
+81 336412135
LANGUAGES
Japanese
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