Born from the earth itself, Hida-zome or Hida Dye harnesses the raw beauty of natural pigments—derived from stone, earth, iron, copper, zinc, coal, pine soot, and more—blended harmoniously with soybean juice (gojiru) and dyed.
Legend has it that Niemon, the father of Yoshioka Seijuro, a legendary swordsman who crossed blades with Miyamoto Musashi, first pioneered the use of pine soot for dyeing, a technique later known as "Kenpo dyeing"
Over time, this art found its way to Hida, it the name "Hida-zome" sealing its place in the annals of cultural heritage.
Today, the legacy of Hida-zome lives on in the vibrant tapestry of Takayama's cultural landscape, adorning traditional performing arts costumes, such as those worn during the iconic Hida Festival—a cherished intangible folk cultural property.
Despite the passage of time, Hida-zome remains a rare and cherished craft, with few artisans across the country practicing this ancient technique.