Create Your Own Noren Curtain

The desired design is cut into a stencil by hand and applied with rice glue to the fabric. Since this is all done by hand, sometimes a little bit of glue sticks out from the pattern or the dye gets in between the glue and fabric. This can create little distortions which cannot be produced by a printing machine, giving the noren curtain a warm and handmade feel. After applying the dye, the rice glue is rinsed and removed numerous times with water, revealing the final design.

Katayama Noren uses the slen dyeing method to dye their noren. Slen dyeing is similar to the traditional Japanese indigo dyeing method, since it is a reactive dye in which alkaline infuses the cloth. After applying the dye, the fabric will oxidise and the desired colour will become fixed. Slen dyeing is known for its resistance against colour fading, which is important since most noren curtains are exposed to sunlight.

Programs such as the recent Arakawa Artisan Training Project (Tokyo) assist new students in learning woodblock printing crafts by supporting them and connecting them with existing Arakawa craftspeople. Tokyo’s Arakawa Ward prides itself on its rich crafts history and is committed to keeping such crafts alive with its range of training programs and events/exhibitions. Members of Kesapasa’s Sekioka Woodblock Printing Studio, Katayama Noren Dyeing Studio, and the Edo-Moji craftsperson Mekaru-san all completed their artisan training in Arakawa.

We are proud to state that Kesapasa is run by craftspeople for craftspeople. We have a deep understanding of the process of becoming a craftsperson in Japan and know what it takes to master a traditional craft. The system by which craftspeople are trained in Japan is known for requiring perseverance, patience, and mastery from its participants. It takes many years of training for an apprentice to master a skill and finally be able to call themself a craftsperson. We pride ourselves on our work and hope that our customers will share our love of traditional Japanese crafts.

Kesapasa Shop offers two worldwide shipping options, standard and express shipping.

Worldwide standard shipping starts at 2000 Japanese Yen (€12,95 or $14) for all orders under 1kg. Standard shipping takes around 7 working days to arrive. Including order process time of 2 or 3 days, you will receive your order in 10 working days!

Worldwide express shipping starts at 4000 Japanese Yen (€26 or $28) or all orders under 1kg. Express shipping takes around 2 or 3 working days to arrive. Including order process time of 2 or 3 days, you will receive your order in 5 or 6 working days!

Japan domestic shipping has a fixed price of 1000 Japanese Yen (€6,5 or $7) for all orders located within Japan. Japan Domestic Shipping takes just one working day to arrive after the day we shipped your order. Including order process time of 2 or 3 days, you will receive your order in 3 or 4 working days!

Returns

We have a 7-day return policy, which means you have 7 days after receiving your item to request a return.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase. Please note that in case you are not satisfied with the product or expectations were not met, all customers are responsible for shipping costs as well as duties on all returned items.

To start a return, please contact us atkesapasashop@gmail.com

If your return is accepted, we’ll send you instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.