YŪZEN
A Japanese craft I'm passionate about sharing in France.
What is yūzen ?
Yūzen is a traditional Japanese silk-painting technique that originated in Kyoto more than three centuries ago.
Each kimono is the result of a collective process, bringing together several artisans whose individual skills contribute to a single creation. From drawing and resist-dyeing to colouring, shading and finishing, every stage requires precision, patience and years of experience.
Beyond the technique itself, yūzen reflects a way of creating in which time, transmission and craftsmanship matter just as much as the finished piece.
My journey to Kyoto
When I travelled to Kyoto, I set out to learn a traditional craft.
What I didn't know was that I would also discover a different way of working, of observing, and of passing knowledge on.
Day after day at Okayama Kougei, the conversations I shared with Pierre, the artisans and the entire team profoundly changed the way I see my own work.
It was there that the desire to introduce yūzen to France first took shape.
Videos
To share this experience, I chose to tell the story of yūzen through images.
This series follows my journey in Kyoto and invites you to discover the artisans, the gestures, the tools and the stories that keep this craft alive today.
Although the videos are in French, you can easily enable YouTube's automatic subtitles in your preferred language.
Yūzen cannot truly be understood through words alone. It must be seen, heard and experienced through the gestures.
coming soon...
Discovering yūzen
Discovering yūzen begins with taking the time to observe, understand and experience it.
I offer talks and workshops that introduce this traditional Japanese craft, its history, its techniques and the values that have shaped it for generations.
Whether you are simply curious, passionate about Japan or interested in traditional craftsmanship, these experiences are an invitation to discover yūzen from a new perspective.
Okayama Kougei
This journey would never have been possible without the warm welcome and trust of the Okayama Kougei workshop in Kyoto.
There, I discovered far more than a traditional craft: a passionate team, skills passed down through generations, and an extraordinary generosity in sharing this unique heritage.
Thanks to them, I am now able, in my own way, to help introduce yūzen to a wider audience in France.
