Heiro Kitagawa

Dyeing and weaving artist. His real name was Heiro. He was born into Tawaraya, a long-established yusoku textile store in Nishijin, Kyoto. He graduated from the Japanese painting department of Kyoto Municipal Art College in 1921 (Taisho 10). He took over the family business in 1927 (Showa 2). Inspired by the research and organization of materials from the Shosoin Repository during the Taisho and Showa periods, he began researching classical dyeing and weaving, and in 1931 he began researching Shosoin Repository fabrics, attempting to restore ancient weaving and dyeing techniques such as Nishiki, Aya, and Ra. In particular, he systematically restored Ra, a method used since ancient times that had fallen into decline, and in 1956 (Showa 31) he was recognized as a holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property for "Ra" and in 1985 for "Yusoku Textiles." He was also a leading expert in patterned weaving techniques, and made great efforts to create patterned textiles suited to modern life.

[Kiyosi Imanaga]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

染織工芸家。本名平郎。京都西陣の有職(ゆうそく)織物の老舗(しにせ)俵屋(たわらや)に生まれる。1921年（大正10）京都市立絵画専門学校日本画科を卒業。27年（昭和2）家業を継ぐ。大正～昭和の正倉院資料調査整理などに刺激を受けて古典染織の研究に入り、31年から正倉院裂(ぎれ)の調査を行い、錦(にしき)、綾(あや)、羅(ら)など、古代の織技や染色技法の復原を試みた。とくに、衰退していた古代以来の羅を体系だてて復原、56年（昭和31）には「羅」、60年には「有職織物」の重要無形文化財保持者に認定された。また紋織技法の第一人者で、今日の生活に適した紋織物の創造にも努力を重ねた。

［今永清士］

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