Types and characteristics of Hina doll kimonos (costumes)

There are three main types of materials.

・Cotton (made from natural cotton thread)

・Chemical fibers (woven from artificially produced threads)

・Pure silk (silk. Woven using the threads that make up the cocoons made by silkworms)

Hina dolls do not need to be comfortable to wear, so cotton is not used.

Instead, it needs to be brilliant.

Cotton material is difficult to make shiny.
To get the color, you have to "print" it onto white fabric.

If you want to make colorful Hina dolls out of cotton, you will need to paint them to create the colors.

Of course, it is possible if we make full use of traditional techniques,
That would be the same price as buying a real kimono.

Synthetic fibers allow the thickness of the thread to be freely changed.
It also makes it easier to get a strong color when dyeing the yarn.

Furthermore, you can freely create shiny threads.
Therefore, it is gentle on the Hina dolls' costumes and easy to use.
Furthermore, synthetic fibers are less susceptible to insect damage and mold, making them easier to use for a long time.

Silk is a natural material,
It is a material that has more luster and delicacy than synthetic fibers.

It can be finished with very fine threads, giving it a very shiny appearance.

It is a gorgeous material that is perfect for Hina dolls.
However, you do need to be a little careful when storing it.
Care must be taken to store it on a sunny, dry day, and to wipe off any dirt that children may have touched before storing it.

In summary, the material of the costume is

・Synthetic fibers

・Pure silk (silk made from 100% silkworm thread)

You will have to choose from two options.

Thanks to advances in modern technology,
The differences between "synthetic fibers" and "real silk" are becoming less clear.

Both look like beautiful outfits.
Unless you are a craftsman or someone knowledgeable about kimonos, you may not understand.
It's at a level where you can't really tell until you touch it.

The distribution ratio of synthetic fiber and pure silk Hina dolls is as follows:
9:1 Or maybe even less pure silk.

Silk is a very expensive material, so when used for Hina dolls,
Even a "two-person decoration" will cost over 200,000 yen.

Embroidery and various tailoring add to the price.

It's easier to understand if you compare the following:

Silk requires careful handling and is very expensive.

At Hinasei, we believe that unless you have any particular preferences, there is no problem if you choose synthetic fibers.

Pure silk is expensive, and as such, it has a different luster and color.

However, unless you have a discerning eye, it's hard to notice.

If you are knowledgeable about kimono, you might be interested.

In that case, you may want to stick to pure silk.

Furthermore, pure silk is sensitive to mold and dirt, so it is necessary to clean it of oil and other stains before storing it.
You may also need to take precautions to prevent children from touching it.

On the other hand, synthetic fibers are "durable," "affordable," "glossy," and "safe for children to touch."

We believe that it is fine for children to pick up and look at our products.

This will make you feel more attached to it.
If you want to let children touch it safely, we recommend synthetic fibers.

The world of kimono is complex.

There are many different ways to process, decorate, and create patterns on the kimonos used for Hina dolls, and their value varies greatly.

First, start by finding out what types are available.

If you look at the details of a Hina doll that you like based on its overall atmosphere, you will see the type of costume it is wearing.

When you see the type of costume,
You will then be able to understand, "Oh, I see. So that's why this one is a little more expensive."

A long time ago, "single-colored" kimonos were popular.

A recent trend is the use of gradational colors known as "blurred dyeing."

It has a stylish and modern look.

Originally (as early as the Edo period), it was a woven fabric mixed with gold thread.

Nowadays, it is a technique of weaving patterns using warp and weft threads.

There are other ways to create patterns other than gold brocade, such as "Yuzen," "embroidery," and "printing."

Yuzen and embroidery are explained below.
The print is "painted onto the fabric" as shown in the photo below.

This is the same technique used for printing T-shirts.

Printed items tend to deteriorate over time and become worn and peel off.

It is best to avoid using it on Hina dolls that will be used for many years.
Hinasei does not sell printed items.

This is a famous dyeing method used in Kyo-Yuzen and Kaga-Yuzen.
The method of making them is to use dyes to vividly paint "flowers, birds, wind, moon" and "flowering plants" onto the fabric.

The dye on the fabric is edged with glue to prevent it from bleeding.
It takes time and effort, but the end result is vibrant.

Recently, a combination of "blur dyeing" and "Yuzen dyeing (painting)" has become popular.

Pure silk Yuzen is very beautiful.
Pure silk has very fine threads, resulting in a beautiful finish.

With brocade, embroidery is used when it is necessary to create a large number of colors or complex patterns and color usage that cannot be fully expressed.

Its characteristics are its three-dimensional appearance and vivid colors.

It has a three-dimensional feel, which changes the atmosphere.

It feels luxurious and stylish.

We recommend comparing different types of brocade and embroidery, and comparing embroidery and Yuzen.

This is a process in which patterns are painted with a brush using a dye called gold paint.

Using it for Hina dolls' costumes can make them look simple yet luxurious.

When gold leaf is used, the price increases slightly, but the beauty and elegance of the piece also increases.

The pattern is created by stitching gold thread together.

The technique of sewing various shapes and patterns onto the fabric is called "komanui".

When gold thread is sewn on, it is called "kinkoma."
The gold thread creates a three-dimensional pattern that makes it look luxurious.