The Way of the Rozome

Rozome (pronounced row-zoh-may) is an ancientto fifteen artisans were assigned to a specific task by
wax-resist technique of applying molten wax to athe master kimono designer. Eventually, the kobo
fabric to block out areas that would resist dyes.creations of several artisans made way to individual
Rozome has a documented history that dates backartistic expression and used as a technique for
2500 years. In 1875, wax-resist cloths dating back totwo-dimensional art.
the seventh century BCE (Before Common Era) wereToday, American artists have adopted rozome as a
discovered in burial mounds on the north coast of themethod of expressing their art using textiles, dyes and
Black Seawax to create three dimensional renderings, paintings
Wax-resist dyeing was seen in Japan in the seventhand smaller media such as artistic cards for greeting
century CE (Common Era). The technique migratedcards. Rozome has become a popular technique for
across Asia through China to Japan where thecontemporary fiber artists of all ages and types.
process became known as, rozome. About the sameThese days, artists have traded the old method of
time, the technique moved southward to India andremoving the wax through dry cleaning which uses
Indonesia where it become known as, batik.dangerous chemicals for the more environmentally
In ancient Japan, rozome was used to design intricatesafer, soy wax. It is using traditional rozome with a
patterns of brilliant colors for kimonos. The cloth for acontemporary twist.
kimono was created in a kobo, a workshop where up