山勝染工について

Yamakatsu Dyeing Factory

YAMAKATSU SENKO Co., Ltd.

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Founded in 1919, Yamakatsu Senko is a guardian of "Nagoya Kuromontsukizome," a traditional Japanese craft. While preserving this centuries-old dyeing technique, we're also pioneering its application in modern fashion. Our expertise in black dyeing has even attracted world-famous designer brands, showcasing the global appeal of our craft.

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Location: Nagoya

Career history (how you got into traditional crafts, how you studied and got trained by an apprentice, etc.)

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Founded in 1919, Yamakatsu Senko is a guardian of "Nagoya Kuromontsukizome," a traditional Japanese craft. While preserving this centuries-old dyeing technique, we're also pioneering its application in modern fashion. Our expertise in black dyeing has even attracted the world- famous designer brands, showcasing the global appeal of our craft.

Begin Magazine

YABAKURO represents the perfect fusion of traditional craftsmanship and modern style. By combining Yamakatsu Senko's centuries-old dyeing expertise with Begin's fashion industry insights, we've created a T-shirt that's not just a garment, but a wearable piece of art and history.

The Legacy of Black: 400 Years of Japanese Mastery

What defines the blackest T-shirt? YABAKURO – a black so profound it makes other black tees look pale in comparison. Unrivaled in durability and fade-resistance, this black endures.

Slip it on and experience the sleek, sophisticated black that exudes grown-up style. Its depth draws you in, its dignified beauty persists wash after wash.

Introducing YABAKURO: where "YABA" (Awesome, Amazing, Incredible) meets "KURO" (Black). This is the T-shirt that redefines darkness.

Founded in 1919, Yamakatsu Senko is one of the last guardians of the Nagoya Kuromontsukizome tradition. Once, over 100 dyeing houses flourished in Nagoya; today, fewer than 10 remain. Yamakatsu Senko stands at the forefront, not just preserving this 400-year- old craft, but actively working to evolve the dyeing technique for the modern world. They're not just keeping history alive; they're writing its next chapter.

Characteristics of the author and style (how and experiences that led to the current style)

Black is the New ... Black

 The blacker, the better.
For YABAKURO, we've adapted the traditional techniques of Nagoya Kuromontsukizome to create an unparalleled black dye for cotton. While the materials differ from silk kimonos, the centuries-old expertise shines through every step of our process.

For instance, we use several times more dye than typical clothing production. But that's not all - we don't just use black dye. By mixing red and yellow with black, we achieve a depth of color that's truly extraordinary. This innovative approach is inspired by the "beni-shitazome" technique from traditional Nagoya Kuromontsukizome, where white fabric is first dyed red before being overdyed with black.

The Art of Time and Temperature

 What truly sets Yamakatsu Senko apart is their mastery of time and temperature. Each T-shirt is immersed in a vat of dye solution and kept at the optimal dyeing temperature of 60-70°C (140-158°F) for an astounding 2.5 to 3 hours - over 3 times longer than conventional dyeing methods.

During this process, artisans manually stir the vat every 5 minutes, ensuring even distribution of dye and checking the color's progress. This method mirrors the kimono dyeing techniques unchanged since the Edo period. While modern clothing is typically mass-produced, with dyes applied quickly under machine pressure for efficiency, Yamakatsu Senko's approach is a legacy to traditional craftsmanship. This painstaking process allows the dye to penetrate deep into the fibers, resulting in an unparalleled depth of blackness.

Unmatched Color Fastness

 In the world of textiles, "fastness" refers to a fabric's resistance to fading. Yamakatsu Senko's black dyeing boasts an exceptionally high fastness rating. This remarkable durability is achieved through their unique process:

Using several times the normal amount of dye
Pre-treating the fabric with hot water
Dyeing for over 3 times longer than standard black dyeing
Post-dyeing wash cycles alternating between hot and cold water for 2-3 hours
This labor-intensive process, unique to Yamakatsu Senko, results in a black that not only looks deeper but also lasts longer.

Representative works, styles, and series

Embrace the deepest black with our range of YABAKURO T-shirts. Each size is crafted with the same meticulous care and unparalleled dyeing technique.

Product List