TAKADA KATAZOME
Indigo Dyed Placemat
Indigo Dyed Placemat
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Celebrate the quiet charm of everyday life with this hand-dyed katazome lunch placemat, featuring playful cat motifs inspired by the beloved companions of Takada Katazome Studio.
Each placemat is individually crafted in Yugawara, Japan, using katazome - a traditional Japanese stencil-resist dyeing technique in which hand-cut stencils and rice-paste resist are used to create intricate patterns before the fabric is dyed in natural indigo. The result is a richly textured textile with subtle variations that reflect the hand of the artisan.
The collection captures the curious personalities of cats through whimsical illustrations, from a contented feline at rest to a watchful cat transfixed by a school of fish. Originally sketched from the studio's own family cat, each design brings warmth, humour and a sense of everyday joy to the table.
Made from durable Chita cotton, woven in Aichi Prefecture, the placemat is ideal for everyday meals, afternoon tea or as a decorative textile beneath a favourite vase or serving tray.
Details:
- Handmade by Takada Katazome Studio
- Traditional katazome stencil-resist dyeing
- Hand-dyed in natural indigo
- 100% cotton
- Made in Yugawara, Japan
- Sold individually
Please note: As each pouch is dyed entirely by hand, slight variations in colour and pattern are a natural characteristic of the traditional katazome process, making every piece unique.Price is per placemat
25cm×47cm
Design: Masahiko Takada & Chota Takada
Dyeing: Chota Takada
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ABOUT THE MAKER
Takada Katazome | 型染工房たかだ | Yugawara, Shizuoka Prefecture
In the coastal town of Yugawara, where mountains rise behind the sea and clear water runs through the valley, artisan Chota Takada continues a quiet, devoted practice of Katazome.
Our Brand Manager had the pleasure of visiting Chota Takada and his wife, Tomoko at their workshop in March 2026. They were exceptionally warm and generous, and welcomed us into their working space with great kindness - an experience that offered a deeper understanding of both their craft and their way of life.
His story begins with his father, who trained as a live-in apprentice under Living National Treasure Keisuke Serizawa. From that lineage came not only technique, but a philosophy: observe carefully, sketch faithfully, and create objects that are practical yet beautiful.
After 15 years working side by side with his father, Chota Takada continues this quiet practice of katazome today. The studio creates works that are not positioned as rarefied art objects, but as mingei - folk crafts made for everyday life. Each piece balances functionality and quiet beauty, designed to be used, lived with, and appreciated daily.
Every item is dyed by hand, one by one, ensuring subtle variations and individuality in each work.