Hirose Dyeworks’ Hirose Yūichi: From Windsurfer to Fourth-Generation Craftsman

A mixture of glue and dye is applied to the fabric through the stencil. The number of people present in the workshop can affect humidity, so the pace of the work needs to be adjusted accordingly. (© Hanai Tomoko)

Photos from the days when Hirose aimed to compete in windsurfing in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Nowadays, he enjoys reminiscing over the photos with his children. (© Hanai Tomoko)

Kimono fabric is woven in bolts just over 30 centimeters wide. In addition to the stripe pattern on the right, Edo-komon comes in diverse patterns. The challenge for dyers is to decide which color to dye a particular pattern; depending on the dyer, subtle color differences can emerge. (© Hanai Tomoko)

Featuring a popular seventeenth-century design modeled on the parquet flooring at the Palace of Versailles, this new Paris-komon created in 2023 is the result of Hirose’s collaboration with designers in Paris. The design was also written up in a French magazine. (Courtesy of Hirose Yūichi)

“Riding the Waves,” a pattern crafted by Hirose for a long-sleeved furisode kimono for his daughter, who, like her father, aspires to world-class proficiency in wind surfing. The design features a traditional wave motif overlaid with a “running water” pattern. Hirose specifically chose the emerald green, blue, and white color scheme to complement his daughter’s deep tan. The kimono’s lining also incorporates a green wave pattern. (Courtesy of Hirose Yūichi)