Pagong Kyoto Yuzen Dye Experience and Workshop Tour

Pagong, a sponsor of this website, offers tours of their Kyoto yuzen dye workshop and a hands-on yuzen dye experience. Participants get to make a furoshiki wrapping cloth for one of two yuzen stencil patterns: there is a demon pattern and a peony pattern – ‘his’ and ‘hers’. Both are from Pagong’s historic catalog of kimono patterns. Reservations may be made at Pagong’s contact webpage. Kameda-san, the founder and owner of Pagong gives the tour and the ‘Magnificant Five’ Yuzen Dye artisans teach the participants how to authentically create a Kyoto-style yuzen pattern. Afterard, there is a question and answer session with Kameda-san in the Pagong reception room with refreshmments. Participants often get to see some of the new products that Pagong is developing. Then, after steaming, washing and drying, the furoshiki will be sent to the participant. The experience workshop takes about 90 minutes.

Outline of the Event
While main store and workshop tours only are offered, Pagong recommends doing the Kyoto yuzen dye experience workshop as well. Here is an outline of the day of the workshopt.

• Preparation:Choose Pattern
• Preparation: Put on Aprons, etc
• Preparation: Greeting from Kameda-san (w/English translator)
• Tour: Explanation of Kyoto Yuzen History and Techniques
• Tour: Tour of Pagong’s Yuzen Workshop
• Production: ‘How To’ Demonstration by Pagong’s Artisans
• Production: Participants Make Their Furoshiki
• Question and Answer Session and Refreshments: Participants ask questions about Yuzen, Pagong, etc and might get a peek at Pagong’s products unreleased products.
• Furoshiki FInishing: As Pagong works in the traditional Kyoto yuzen dye process, the furoshiki must be steamed (this sets the yuzen dye) then washed and air-dried. This authentic process requires about 10 days to complete.
• Delivery: Pagong delivers the furoshiki to the participant, usually via post.

＊A reservation in advance is required, please see details below.

Traditional Kyoto Yuzen Dyeing Experience
• Visit Authentic Kyoto Yuzen Dyeing Workshop
• Experience the Tradition and Techniques
• Meet the Artisans
• Unique Kyoto Tour Destination

Pagong offers workshop tours and Kyoto yuzen dyeing experience for groups to create a memorable and enduring experience that literally can be taken back home.

Pagong Workshop Tour
Tour participants meet, converse with and observe our ‘Magnificent Five’ team of artisans that combined have more than 170 years of yuzen dyeing experience!

Kyoto Yuzen Experience
Participants can also experience making their own Kyoto-style yuzen dyed fabric firsthand. The patterns you create can be custom-made into a garment that will be sent to your home after it is complete.

※ Please Note
• Due to production scheduling we cannot always accommodate groups that wish to visit our workshop.
• Tours and workshops are offered in Japanese language only. If you don’t have a guide or fluent speaker of Japanese in your party, we may be able to arrange an interpreter.
• Please contact Pagong through our inquiry page for details. (At this time we can only reply to Japanese and English language inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.)

source: Pagong’s Stores & Tours webpage