was a Japanese textile artist who specialized in making kimono dyed using the technique of resist dyeing. He also created the dyeing technique.
was born in Prefecture on December 10, 1909. His given birth name was . He apprenticed with dyer when he was 15. took the artist name in 1934, when he was 25. He then opened his own studio in 1939, though his business struggled due to anti-luxury measures implemented during World War II, and had to re-establish his studio in 1948.
first exhibited at the Japanese Traditional Craft Exhibition () in 1955, where he won third place. He was named a Living National Treasure in 1967. In 1971, he was awarded the Japanese Medal of Honor (purple ribbon), and was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun in 1982.
died on February 20, 2008. His son, , continues his father's work as a kimono artist.
Though the dyeing technique is typically used in the production of colourful designs and items, 's use of the technique was a notable departure from this. His designs, commonly taking inspiration from classical depictions of nature in traditional Japanese art, have a painterly feel to them. was particularly well known for his common use and depiction of chrysanthemums.
is best known for using the (sprinkled rice paste) method of dyeing. This method involves applying flakes of zinc-infused paste to fabric before resist dyeing it. When the paste is removed, it leaves a delicately spotted, mist-like pattern. This technique, revived by , was commonly used in Edo period Japan, but had since been forgotten; decided to revive the technique after having seen a that utilised it in the Tokyo National Museum. Having originally thought that he could learn the technique from a lacquer artist, due to the similarities between and the lacquerwork technique of , , unable to find a teacher, instead replicated the technique after much trial and error.
Museums that hold 's work include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.