Beautiful luster of gold and silver yarn, traditional braid cord.
This is a strap using gold and silver yarn (pure silver vacuum deposited on a clear polyester film) and braided by Hirakaragumi which is one of techniques of Kyoto braid cord. It gives off beautiful luster. The Hirakaragumi braid cord becomes to have a flat shape with thickness. This is made by Terashima yasutarou shouten, long-established fourth generation gold and silver yarn producing company in Kyoto.
Gold and silver yarn is one of the traditional crafts of Kyoto,Japan with a very long history.
It has been used for ornamental apron of Sumo wrestlers or KESHOUMAWASHI or for embroidering on dress. On drop curtains and sleeves of stages and theaters, and even in various festivals held throughout the Japan you can see the decoration of the yarn on the special cover of textiles, KESOUMAKU for the Japanese parade float, DASHI or the portable shrine, MIKOSHI. The gorgeous brightness amuses eyes of a lot of people.
Terashima Yasutarou shouten has inherited the traditional skills since its inception in1897 in four generations.
They have continued the production of gold and silver yarn in Kyoto since its inception in 1897. Nowadays it is used not only for Kyoto local traditional industries but also for traditional crafts in various places in Japan and also for textiles regardless of country. Terashima's gold silver yarn, gold leaf, and vapor deposition film and so on have been used. "Along with the changing times, technology associated with the production of gold and silver yarn and the materials have also changed in various ways. It is a matter of course to keep the old traditions and texture, we are also seeking new texture or new technology , also we think giving variety of suggestions to customers is one of the most important roles. "(Mr.Terashima says so.)
photo by Kyoto gold and silver thread Industrial Association