Professionals, who decorate the stage

The firm’s origins are in the Genroku era (1688-1704), and the reign of the fifth Tokugawa shogun, Tsunayoshi. The founder of Ishiyama Senkoh, Goemon Ishiyama, after spending time in Kyoto and Niigata, established himself as a clothes merchant in Yamagata. In the firm’s eighth generation, training at a dye works in Takadanobaba in Tokyo was the reason to move the business to the capital, and focus its work on dye. The dyed fabrics it produces today include costumes and materials for kabuki, noh and kyogen theatre performance, and for recitals in gagaku music. Also there are coats for festivals, backdrops for live music, clothes for monks… all items particular and specialised in their use. In the case of fabrics for the theatre, from meetings with the costume designer onward all processes take place within the workshop, and can include techniques such as “hikizome”, “katazome”, “yuzen”, “shishu” and “hakuoki” among others. In the tight turnaround time often required for a theatre production, the 19 craftspeople working at the firm are required to apply each of their specialist skills. They are professionals, who work to professional needs. With more than 350 years of history, the company has at its heart the motto: “tradition is the continuation of innovation”. To pass on the skills descended through generations, it is necessary to constantly think anew. Under the leadership of its current, 13th generation, boss Yuji Ishiyama, the days of fresh approach go on.

Ishiyama Senkoh, Inc.
1-12-11 Yokokawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0003
TEL +81-3-3625-8211
Takayuki Kato
kato@ishiyamasenko.co.jp