Chusen dye (dye blocking method)

Chusen is a kind of dye blocking method using glue, that is often used for dying a Tenugui textile.Using a combination of different kinds of seaweed, they make a thick paste that is used to block out areas that are not to be dyed.

Since the fabric is soaked in the dye, the dye goes into the core of the fabric, which makes no difference of pattern on the front and the back of the textile.  It also makes it difficult for the dye to fade. 

 As they fold the fabric in layers and pour the dye from the top, which goes all the way through, the outer rim of the pattern tend to be not clear, which in some way makes it a nostalgic atmosphere. 

This is a dying technique that has been used over 300 years.