In Photos: Tokyo workshop's Edo Komon patterns create small-scale beauty

Yuichi Hirose, fourth-generation head of Hirose Dyeworks, is seen applying paste to silk fabric at the Edo Komon workshop in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on July 8, 2020. (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)

Masks with Edo Komon patterns created at Hirose Dyeworks, including one with scale designs believed to ward off evil pictured at the center, is seen in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on July 8, 2020. (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)

Fabric with paste applied using a paper stencil for the "yoroi" Edo Komon pattern, based on traditional samurai armor, is seen at Hirose Dyeworks in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on July 8, 2020. (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)

A kimono made of fabric with "same" sharkskin Edo Komon patterns dyed by craftsman Yuichi Hirose is seen at Hirose Dyeworks in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on July 8, 2020. The craftsman dyes patterns onto one piece of long fabric while envisioning its completed form, including the large rhombus patterns on the hems and sleeves. (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)

Fabric with paste applied using a paper stencil is seen at Hirose Dyeworks in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on July 8, 2020. (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)

Fabrics employing three major Edo Komon patterns; from left, the "same" sharkskin-like pattern, the "toshi" (literally meaning 'continuous run') pattern, and the "gyogi" (literally meaning 'manners') pattern, are seen at Hirose Dyeworks in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on July 8, 2020. (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)

Yuichi Hirose, fourth-generation head of Hirose Dyeworks, is seen inside the "itaba" workshop space at Hirose Dyeworks in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on July 8, 2020. Silk fabrics are smoothly spread out on top of 7-meter planks of Japanese fir wood. (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)

Kimono fabrics produced at Hirose Dyeworks are seen in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on July 8, 2020. (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)

Dyes used at Hirose Dyeworks are seen in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on July 8, 2020. (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)

Fabric with paste applied using a paper stencil is seen at Hirose Dyeworks in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on July 8, 2020. (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)

Edo Komon patterns are carved by hand on Japanese washi paper fortified by persimmon tannin in this image provided by Hirose Dyeworks.

Coloring paste is applied to kimono fabric in this image provided by Hirose Dyeworks.

Fabric is placed in a cypress steamer in this image provided by Hirose Dyeworks.

Fabric is being rinsed to remove paste in this image provided by Hirose Dyeworks.

Fabrics which have undergone the dyeing process to create Edo Komon designs are being dried in this image provided by Hirose Dyeworks.

A stole designed by a French university student and dyed by Hirose Dyeworks using the traditional Edo Komon technique is seen in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on July 8, 2020. (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)

An Edo Komon design symbolizing "peace at home" is seen in this image provided by Hirose Dyeworks.

An Edo Komon design symbolizing "perpetual youth and longevity" is seen in this image provided by Hirose Dyeworks.

Fabric dyed pale blue green with a "yoroi" Edo Komon pattern, based on traditional samurai armor, is seen at Hirose Dyeworks in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on July 8, 2020. The areas where paste was applied remain white. (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)

Edo Komon paper stencils are stored in cabinets at Hirose Dyeworks in Tokyo's Shinjuku Ward on July 8, 2020. (Mainichi/Kota Yoshida)