BIG NEWS: Jane Sassaman is going to co-lead the NOV 2024 Quilting & Textile Tour to Japan with Patricia Belyea of Okan Arts. This is the trip of a lifetime! The tour starts in Tokyo and features one day at the Yokohama Quilt Show plus insider visits with quilting and textile leaders. Then on to Kyoto, via the Bullet Train, for hand-on workshops and more textile delights — including a morning with an indigo master. The tour caps at 16 participants. All accommodations are Single Occupancy in 4-star hotels. For more info, click Linkpop in bio > Japan Tours. @janesassaman #japantour #japanquilttour #japantextiletour #okanarts #patriciabelyea #janesassaman #indigo #japanesetextiles #quilttour #textiletour #japan
Arrived at the farmhouse in Fujino- surrounded by so much beauty, simplicity and good energy. #japantextiletour #fujino #shimbori #indigo #cherryblossoms @leafyindigo
Day 1 of Japan Textile Trip- Headed to an Antique Flea Market held at a Shrine. So many treasures and of course fabric shopping! #japantextiletour #japan #japanantiques @leafyindigo
It’s a wrap—our 12-day Kyoto Textile Adventure was full of new experiences, new friends and new foods! It’s not “goodbye” but “see you later” to this special place. Okan Arts textile tours for Fall 2024 and Early Spring 2025 are now open for booking. See Linkpop in bio > Textile Tours #japantextiletour #textiletour #okanartstour #okanartsadventures #patriciabelyea #okanarts #gion #gionshrine #kyototour #japanesetextiles #japantour #experiencekyoto #kyototravel #japantravel #quiltingtour
Hands-on with hot wax and indigo dye for today’s roketsuzome workshop! Wax is applied to cotton fabric, blocking the dye for a brilliant blue-and-white contrast. Okan Arts quilting and textile tours for Fall 2024 and Early Spring 2025 are now open for booking! See Linkpop in bio > Textile Tours. #japantextiletour #textiletour #okanartstour #okanartsadventures #patriciabelyea #okanarts #indigodyeing #roketsuzome #waxresistdyeing #waxresist #japanesebatik #batik #kyototour #japanesetextiles #japantour #textiledyeing #quiltingtour
Street sweets, meditation gardens, bamboo trails and hidden temples—Arashiyama has something for everyone. We spent the day enjoying the sights and sounds of this recreational district in the western hills of Kyoto. Join us! Okan Arts textile tours for Fall 2024 and Early Spring 2025 tours have opened for booking. See Linkpop in bio > Textile Tours. #japantextiletour #textiletour #okanartstour #okanartsadventures #patriciabelyea #okanarts #arashiyama #explorekyoto #kyototour #japanesetextiles #japantour
Sashiko, meaning “little stabs”, is a distinctive form of functional embroidery traditionally used to reinforce fabric. Today, we learned ajisai sashi—the hydrangea pattern. Thanks for hosting us, @sashiko.lab! Join us! Okan Arts textile tours for Fall 2024 and Early Spring 2025 tours have opened for booking. See Linkpop in bio > Textile Tours. #japantextiletour #textiletour #okanartstour #okanartsadventures #patriciabelyea #okanarts #sashiko #sashikostitching #sashikoembroidery #kyototour #japanesetextiles #japantour
Paper play! Wagasa—umbrellas made of bamboo and washi paper—come in many variations and sizes. Our mini ones are just the right size to take home. Join us! Okan Arts textile tours for Fall 2024 and Early Spring 2025 tours have opened for booking. See Linkpop in bio > Textile Tours. #japantextiletour #textiletour #okanartstour #okanartsadventures #patriciabelyea #okanarts #washipaper #fiberarts #fibrearts #wagasa #papercrafts #kyototour #japanesetextiles #japantour
A textile treasure trove hosted exclusively by Lady Mitsuko for Okan Arts. Lady M.’s collection included antique indigos and folk textiles—boro, kasuri, basho, meisin silk, yukata cottons, katazome and much more. Join us! Okan Arts textile tours for Fall 2024 and Early Spring 2025 tours have opened for booking. See Linkpop in bio > Textile Tours. #japantextiletour #textiletour #okanartstour #okanartsadventures #patriciabelyea #okanarts #kyototour #japanesetextiles #japantour #boro #kasuri #basho #meisinsilk #yukatacottons #katazome
Surrounded by silken threads, today we tried our hands at Nishiki—Japanese silk weaving. Okan Arts textile tours for Fall 2024 and Early Spring 2025 tours have opened for booking! See Linkpop in bio > Textile Tours #japantextiletour #textiletour #okanartstour #okanartsadventures #patriciabelyea #okanarts #kyototour #japanesetextiles #japantour #nishiki #nishijin #silkweaving
A train ride away, tie-dye paradise awaits! In the historic shibori town of Arimatsu, modern shibori master Tsuyoshi Kuno—creator of fabrics for international couture, costumes and interior design—taught folding techniques before leading us through the dyeing process. Join us! Okan Arts textile tours for Fall 2024 and Early Spring 2025 tours have opened for booking. See Linkpop in bio > Textile Tours #japantextiletour #textiletour #okanartstour #okanartsadventures #patriciabelyea #okanarts #kyototour #japanesetextiles #japantour #shibori #arimatsu #tiedyeworkshop
These scarves won’t stay white for long. Through an all-natural botanical dyeing process on a farm north of Kyoto, we transformed our blank canvases into vibrant wearable creations. Join us! Okan Arts textile tours for Fall 2024 and Early Spring 2025 tours have opened for booking. See Linkpop in bio > Textile Tours #japantextiletour #textiletour #okanartstour #okanartsadventures #patriciabelyea #okanarts #yuzendyeing #kyototour #japanesetextiles #japantour #handdyeing #naturaldyeing
Yuzen dyeing using thick dyes with dry brushes! ~ Patricia Belyea Join Okan Arts for textile tour! Fall 2024 and Early Spring 2025 tours just opened for booking. See Linkpop in bio > Textile Tours #japantextiletour #textiletour #okanartstour #okanartsadventures #patriciabelyea #okanarts #yuzendyeing #kyototour #japanesetextiles
We had another womderful international guests at our Temari experience. People of Australia, New Zealand, US, France and Japan got together in one room and share joy of making. This definatly is one of the best way of making our world better place to live! We started with no experience with workshop of more than 15 people, a year ago. Now, we come to this far to be able to enjoy with our guests without getting nervous. Thanks to our gusts and great team work! If you are thinking to have cultural experience in Japan. Contact us, we will figure out how we can meet your wishes. アメリカ、オーストラリア、ニュージーランド、フランス、日本の人が集まって、一緒に楽しく手まりを作りました。笑顔や笑い声が溢れて、心地良い空間も生まれました。一緒に楽しいことを共有する時間をつくるのは、世界をもっと良くすることにも繋がることが確信できて嬉しかった。 1年前には、15人以上のワークショップなんて、どうしようとドキドキでしたが、チームワークとお客さまのおかげで、今では緊張することなく、お客さまと一緒に楽しむまでになって誇らしい気分になりました☺️ #japanculture #japantextiletour
Japan is full of unexpected delightful pleasures. We joked #notashoppingtour but discovering small independent, one of a kind shops with little treasures was so fun. Idola in Kyoto is a tiny button and bead shop. Lots of vintage buttons from France to discover. This is their business card along with a teapot and teacup button I found. #retreatrecreate #japantextiletour #vintagebuttons #handcraftshopping #kyotoshopping
Nearing the end of my Japanese textile workshops and finishing up my mokume Shibori project. Talk about labors of love! #muffyclarkgill #japantextiletour #japanesetextiles #ayafiberstudio #asf_artists #japan
Morning view from our kitchen window #ayafiberstudio #muffyclarkgill #japantextiletour #asf_artists #lotus
‘All textiles are a form of communication; they hold messages and tell stories to those paying attention’ (Amy Katoh) It was a very great honour to visit with Amy Katoh of @blueandwhite_japan as part of the blue loving @retreatrecreate textile group. Being able to see, touch and hear the stories of some of Amy’s textile collection was an absolute delight. A chance to deepen our understanding and regard for Japanese indigo #retreatrecreate #japantextiletour #indigo #💙 #fangirlmoment
Experience Japan like never before! ✨ Join us on a journey of textiles, quilts, and cultural significance. From ancient traditions to modern masterpieces, this textile tour will leave you inspired and awestruck. 🎎 Secure your spot today! Call Judy at Opulent Quilt Journeys at 1-877-235-3767 #JapanTextileTour #QuilterOnFire #CulturalJourney
Join us as we explore Japan through the lens of its textile and handcraft culture. On our Quilters Handcraft Journey to Japan we’ve planned for engagement with artisans, hands-on classes, visiting studios, talks on textile traditions and visiting artisans in their studios as well as sightseeing along our way. We will enjoy amazing scenery, hands-on workshops including, traditional shashiko, embroidery, indigo dyeing, ancient shibori techniques, and Kyoto traditional fabric printing. We will also visit studios and workshops where we’ll meet weavers, antique textile specialists, and indigo dyers. We will enjoy special folk art/handcraft museums, textile markets, flea markets, temples, shrines and cultural sites. Join likeminded quilting and textile enthusiasts and find yourself inspired by amazing design and craftsmanship, shopping for fabulous textiles and handcrafts and experiencing traditional Japanese beauty, hospitality and culture. March 2-13, 2024. https://worldofquiltstravel.com/japan24/ #worldofquiltstravel #japantextiletour #japanhandcrafttour #japanesetextiles #quilttour
Join us in Nippori Textile Town, one of the stops on our 2024 Quilters Journey to Japan. Step out of the traditional Japanese tourist box and join our fabulous 12-day, 3 city Japan quilt, fabric and textile tour as together we will enjoy the finest destinations in the country. Our fabulous hands-on handcraft quilters journey is from March 2-13, 2024. For more information, please visit our website at https://worldofquiltstravel.com/japan24/ Images are exclusively from Tokyo's Nippori Textile Town...they call it "Fabric lover's heaven". #worldofquiltstravel #quiltertourofjapan #japanquilttour #japantextiletour #japanesefabrics #quiltersonthego #textiletour #quilttour #quilting #quilter #quilt #quiltsofinstagram #missouristarquiltco #quiltfestival #quiltsofinsta #modernquiltguild #quiltfolkmagazine
Heritage village in Hida prefecture. Thatched roofs sit on the house under their own weight. #japantextiletour
Tradional Japanese lunch and dinner. Today the sashiko stitching ladies made us lunch. One lady made cake for afternoon tea - rice flour sponge which was so light it almost melted in the mouth - mmmmm. No picture cos I ate it before zi even thought about documenting it. 🤪 #japantextiletour
Takayama is a very old port city ( now shrinking) and these old rice warehouses have been turned into a museum and tourist shop. The next images are cute little dioramas which tell the history of rice farming in the prefecture. #japantextiletour
Samples of the work of master sashiko stitchers who taught us the basics today. #japantextiletour. One looks surprisingly western ( took a year to make).
Today we did a sashiko stitching workshop with the masters. These are 100 year old “good luck vests” which keep them men safe and warm when they go up the mountain to collect and sled down firewood in the snow. #japantextiletour
My first Kogin work. Needs a bit more patience to do enough to clothe a cold farmer. I liked it and might do more but perhaps a brooch rather than a shirt. #japantextiletour
Login sashiki - traditional stitching from this prefecture originally to mend and add thickness to poor peasant farmers flax clothing, done by women in the long winters. #japantextiletour
Last of the cherry blossoms in Hirosaki. #japantextiletour
Jean ( our lovely expert guide) in the indigo Shirobori workshop. #japantextiletour
We spent a little time at the Quilt Party shop on the first morning of our tour..Lots of gorgeous taupe fabrics, kits etc to excite us…we were even lucky enough to meet Yoko Saito @yokosaito_quiltparty #yokosaito #opulentjourneys #bebebold #textiletours #japantextiletour
I was recently accepted into Fiber Arts Now’s Excellence in Fibers exhibition with this mixed media piece I call “Hands Down”. it was inspired by a 2019 trip to Japan to participate in an indigo, katazome and shibori workshop being conducted by artist, silk grower, and weaver Bryan Whitehead. I brought home Japanese newspapers I collected in Tokyo and combined their clippings with dye, eco felt, string, used denim,sashiko stitching, paint sticks and butcher paper to create this piece—I loved the hand elements which came from a newspaper ad that I then copied to have a pair of hands. #muffyclarkgill #artisttakingoverfan #fiberartnowmagazine #ayafiberstudio #japantextiletour #asf_artists
Hi there, my name is Muffy Clark Gill. I am a photographer, painter but my favorite media is in Fiber! I specialize in the ancient wax and dye resist process known as batik. Today I am going to share with you a little bit about myself and the favorite artists/ institutions that I like best! #muffyclarkgill #artisttakingoverfan #fiberartnowmagazine #Batikartist #rozome #batikguild #silkpaintersinternational #artbynatalya #yorubaindigfo #gasaliandeymo #ldominicartist #ayafiberstudio #janedunnewold #nawafl #the_nawa #asf_artists #japantextiletour
Our Japan tour sold out in hours! 🌸 Very sorry to disappoint everyone who couldn't get on. Please write shila at eyhotours.com to be waitlisted and/or advance registration for Fall 2023/Spring 2024. #eyhotours #japan #japantour #japantextiletour #traveldeeper #travelpassionate #womentravelers
Italian furniture designer and author Enzo Mari has passed away in Milan at age 88. Mari died on 19 October 2020 at Milan's San Raffaele hospital, where he was hospitalised. #enzomari #enzomaridesign #enzomari #enzomarifurnitures #michelemari #italianfurniture🇮🇹 #italianfurnituredesign #italiandesignerfurniture #furniturerugs #furniturerugslamps #furniturerugsandlights #furniturerugsbooksfireplacewoodflagsartdishestaxidermyvanstrucks #jewellerstools #japantextiletour #japansurfacetextures #japansurfaces #japansilksaree #japanniceview #japanvisa🇯🇵 #japanvisainvitation #japandesigntravle #japanbedroom #japandigitalart #japansignature2020 #japanfabricsakurapattern #japanprintingmachines #japanprintings #japanprinting #japandeafexpo #japandeaffootballassociation #japanabstractartist
Photo from my first (textile) trip to Japan in 2018. I took this photo at obi (kimono belt) weaving museum Orinasukan in Kyoto. In March of this year I went back to Japan and visited several weavers in Yamanashi prefecture. See link in bio to read my story about these Japanese weavers and weaving techniques. #weavingstudy #japantextiletrip #yamanashi #japanesetextile #weavers #japantextiletour #indigo #kasuri #kaiki #hogushi #japanophilia #japanlover #fujiyoshida #jacquard #textileblog #weavingblog #japanblog #textileheritage #織成舘 #手織ミュージアム #kyototextiledistrict #nishijin #obiweaving #kimonoweaving #orinasukan
In Japan I visited the Yamanashi Industrial Technology Center. This public research institute supports the design of local textile production and promotes and preserves the regional heritage. The building is equipped with a prototyping lab with several jacquard looms, where new designs and techniques are developed and perfected, for instance developing super smooth colour gradients 🌈 See link in bio for more.⠀ ⠀ #weavingstudy #japantextiletrip #yamanashi #japanesetextile #weavers #japantextiletour #indigo #kasuri #kaiki #hogushi #japanophilia #japanlover #fujiyoshida #jacquard #textileblog #weavingblog #japanblog #textileheritage
@kukkadesign visited Yamanashi in March. Thank you very much. #Repost @kukkadesign with @make_repost ・・・ In March of this year I went back to Japan with the intention of travelling the country for 4 weeks. But corona cut our trip short to just 1 week. Still I managed to visit several weavers in Yamanashi prefecture and to have an amazing trip. Japan never disappoints. I wrote about visiting these weavers in my blog. See link in bio if you like to see and read more. gradient jacquard weave by @gen_maeda_and_co_ltd #weavingstudy #japantextiletrip #yamanashi #japanesetextile #weavers #japantextiletour #indigo #kasuri #kaiki #hogushi #genmaeda #japanophilia #japanlover #fujiyoshida #jacquard #textileblog #weavingblog #japanblog #heritage
In March of this year I went back to Japan with the intention of travelling the country for 4 weeks. But corona cut our trip short to just 1 week. Still I managed to visit several weavers in Yamanashi prefecture and to have an amazing trip. Japan never disappoints. I wrote about visiting these weavers in my blog. See link in bio if you like to see and read more. gradient jacquard weave by @gen_maeda_and_co_ltd #weavingstudy #japantextiletrip #yamanashi #japanesetextile #weavers #japantextiletour #indigo #kasuri #kaiki #hogushi #genmaeda #japanophilia #japanlover #fujiyoshida #jacquard #textileblog #weavingblog #japanblog #heritage
Drawing light and shadows on textiles with simple stitches is a technique I learned in Japan. . I am still constantly thinking back of this trip and all the amazing artisan I met as Hiroshi #murase, a #shibori master from #arimatsu. . So thankful for everything I learned !! . 🙏🏻 - arigato gosaimss . ⠀⠀ . #japanese #shibori # #pleats #illustrations #sewing #japantextiletour #japan #arimatsu #handmade #dyersofig #slowfiber #slowstitches #textiletour #fiberart #ipreview @preview.app
Remembering Naoshima, ... while I have the weirdest summer flu, fever and my whole body feels as heavy as this stone. . Today I will not be able to open the studio shop. Sorry friends!!! I hardly make it from my bed to the sofa. . Naoshima is a Fishermen’s island in Japan, that has been turned into an Art Island with a couple of stunning Museums, open air sculptures, Art House projects. Amazing!!!!! The art piece I am standing at is at the Benesse House Museum and was made site specific by the artist Kan Yasuda : The Secret of the Sky (1996). I bought a post card of it and have in my bedroom across my bed. I look at it ever morning and it gives me so much piece and strength. ⠀⠀ #ranunculussweater #kanyasuda #knittersofinstagram #purlandpoem #japantextiletour #rock #art #naoshima #ipreview @preview.app
Stillness... peace ... . is all I need today. . Remembering my #japantextiletour . #relax #indigo #paper #landscapes #emotions #simpleliving #essence #natural #japan #loveindigo #meaningfull #japan2019 #stillness #peace
Visiting @studiohinoki and meeting Yoko Kano was one of the highlights of my #japantextiletour . In the town of Katsuyama this dyeing and weaving artist has designed and made Noren, japanese wallhangings, that carry the heart and spirit of the people who live inside each house. Noren change with the seasons and add a touch of art to everyday life. . 🧡 . #meaningfull #japan #textiletour #exploringjapan #japan2019 #openstudio79dyes #meaningful #fiberart #handmade #dyersofig #unique #noren #lovingjapan
More photos from the visit to the Sakusyu Kasuri Craft Museum in Tsuyama, Japan. One of my favorite stops on the textile tour. Look closely to see details, including antique weaving equipment, and a video demo of a hand cranked machine that separates cotton fiber from cotton seed. The first photo is a patchwork made of different kasuri ikat fabrics. #sakusyukasuri #kasuriikat #kasuriweaving #sakusyutsuyama #okayama #okayamajapan #ikatweaving #japantextile #japantravel #textile #indigo #handwoven #handmade #japaneseikat #japanesetextile #heritagecraft #japaneseweaving #kasuri #sakusyukasuricraftmuseum #craftmuseum #japanmuseum #weaver #japantextiletour #japanesecraft #craft #textilecraft #blueandwhite #textileart #fiberart #artquilt
What you are seeing here is the room where some of the deepest, richest indigo blues originate. This is the farm of Mr. Osamu Nii, a sixth generation indigo farmer in Tokushima, Japan. Wrapped inside the straw bags is sukumo (composted) indigo. It is the result of an extremely labor-intensive and long process carried out by Mr. Nii and a couple of assistants, mostly here in this very room. In the photos that follow are some of this year’s indigo seedlings, soon ready to go from the greenhouse into the soil. Osamu Nii is one of only a small handful of farmers producing sukumo indigo in Japan. Sukumo indigo then travels to various artist and craftspeople workshops around Japan to build the indigo vats they use for shibori and other dyeing techniques. Thanks to our tour leader Yukako Satone of @loopoftheloom for the opportunity to visit this special farm. . . . #osamunii #tokushimajapan #japan #traveljapan #japan2019 #japantextiletour #indigo #indigofarmer #sukumoindigo #sukumo #indigofarm #indigojapan #indigoplant #indigoblue #japantextile #japantradition
Here are the noren-in-motion videos I promised earlier. Most are from Katsuyama and the work of Yoko Kano (@studiohinoki), some are from Naoshima and Arimatsu. I wonder if there’s a term in Japanese for the flutter of noren curtains in the wind. . . #japan #japantravel #noren #norenofjapan #japanesenoren #handdyed #shibori #shiboridye #windvideo #japantextile #japantextiletour #japaneseshibori #textileart #japantextileart #yokokano #katsuyama #naoshima #craft #japancraft
Yarn bounty at @saorinomori in Osaka, the “headquarters” of the now global SAORI weaving movement. When I worked with designing and making hand-knits, I used to be all about the deep jewel tones. For the past several years, working part of the time with natural clay and indigo-derived dyes made in Japan, I’m keen on the quieter, more subdued, softer palette. I haven’t shared any of my more recent work because I was off Instagram for over 2 years... Still drawn to both types of colors, really. Perhaps the softer colors “play” nicer together. Still a fan of the monochrome or the duotone, though, in what I choose to make. But a beautifully arranged rainbow yarn wall is always a treat to see. Here, in the bin at the front are naturally dyed yarns, I believe. At Saorinomori, we had 2-3 hours to weave, and then met with Kenzo Jo, the current head of the SAORI company, who co-founded SAORI with his mother, Misao Jo. Saori’s main principles/slogans are — 1. Consider the differences between people and machines. 2. Be bold and adventurous. 3. Look out through eyes that shine. 4. Inspire one another, and everyone in the group. I think they’re wonderful! #wallofyarn #yarnwall #rainbowyarn #colorfulyarn #yarn #saorinomori #saoriweaving #saori #saoristudio #japantravel #weaving #weavingstudio #japantextile #japantextiletour #yarnoncone #yarnlove #loveyarn
More photos from our visit to the Sakusyu Kasuri Craft Museum in Tsuyama, Japan. One of my favorite stops on the trip. Look closely to see details, including a video of how stenciled thread is painstakingly tied in tiny marked spots to form a resist in preparation for subsequent dyeing. The photo showing indigo and white thread against a black background illustrates just how finely the ikat pattern is laid out. Extreme precision then required to weave each row to align the undyed/white marks to form the intended pattern. Amazingly, we got a chance to weave a few rows, which was both intimidating and exhilarating. We received such an enthusiastic demo and hands-on learning sessions, plus a very warm farewell from the women at the museum. This is a place I would have wished to spend much more time in, to admire the awe-inspiring techniques and the gorgeous kasuri ikat fabrics. #sakusyukasuri #kasuriikat #kasuriweaving #sakusyutsuyama #okayama #okayamajapan #ikatweaving #japantextile #japantravel #textile #indigo #handwoven #handmade #japaneseikat #japanesetextile #textileheritage #heritagecraft #japaneseweaving #kasuri #sakusyukasuricraftmuseum #craftmuseum #japanmuseum #weaver #japantextiletour #japanesecraft #craft #textilecraft #blueandwhite #textileart #fiberart
A demonstration at the Sakusyu Kasuri Craft Museum (Tsuyama, Okayama). Kasuri is Japanese ikat weaving, and its precision is simply mind-blowing! A stencil is used to transfer a decide onto...thread (see 2nd photo)! The tiny marks made are then individually hand-wrapped to act as resists, so that in the subsequent dyeing process, only the unwrapped sections of the thread are exposed to the dye. Then, still following the same pattern, the dyed thread is hand-woven into ikat cloth with what is virtually surgical precision. Just incredible! #sakusyukasuri #kasuriikat #kasuriweaving #sakusyutsuyama #okayama #okayamajapan #ikatweaving #japantextile #japantravel #textile #indigo #handwoven #handmade #japaneseikat #japanesetextile #textileheritage #heritagecraft #japaneseweaving #kasuri #sakusyukasuricraftmuseum #craftmuseum #japanmuseum #weaver #japantextiletour #japanesecraft #craft #textilecraft #blueandwhite #textileart #fiberart
In the mountains near Onomichi, we used washi papers in our Kakishibu tannin class, by dipping them in the fermented persimmon (kakishibu) solution, then lining the interior and exterior of bamboo baskets with them. Traditionally, this used to be done to prolong the life of vessels and to waterproof them, as the kakishibu tannin dye stiffens and hardens as it dries. My basket is in the upper left corner. #onomichi #onomichijapan #washiworkshop #kakishibu #kakishibudye #onomichikakien #handmade #washipaper #persimmondye #persimmonfarm #baskets #japan #japantravel #japantextiletour
Kakishibu (persimmon) dye stained stencils form the curved "railing" detail at a staircase at the Indigo Museum in Tokushima. The stencils are incredibly detailed and beautiful. #japan #japantravel #japantextiletour #japantextile #japancraft #stencil #dyeingstencil #jalanesestencil #antiquestencil #kakishibu #kakishibudye #kakishibuzome #indigomuseum #indigodyeing #tokushimajapan #antiquejapanese #japanantique #vintagejapan
At Yoko Kano's shibori workshop and gallery, @studiohinoki, in Katsuyama -- some of her spring-themed noren. In addition to Ms. Kano’s work, the shop carries handmade ceramics, stationery, and textiles by other artists as well. Ms. Kano has decided and made hundreds of Noren that adorn the entryways to the shops in Tsuyama, and beyond. #japan #japantravel #japantextiletour #noren #studiohinoki #katsuyama #tsuyama #yokokano #shibori #gallery #artgallery #finecraft #fiberart #textileart #madeinjapan #handmade #visualmerchandising #gallerydisplay #storedisplay
A late afternoon / early evening visit to the indigo farm of Osamu Nii, a sixth generation indigo farmer in Tokushima. We learned about the mind-boggling in its labor intensity process of composting sukumo indigo. In the US, this tradition has been picked up by Rowland Ricketts, who trained on this farm. What a treat to see this year's seedlings sprouting, with a beautiful sunset glow in the background. Osamu Nii is one of only a small handful of farmers producing sukumo indigo in Japan. #japan #traveljapan #japan2019 #japantextiletour #indigo #indigofarmer #sukumoindigo #sukumo #indigofarm #indigojapan #indigogrow #indigoplant
At the Tachibana Textile Institute showroom. Kakishibu (fermented persimmon dye) and other natural dye cotton canvas made into personal accessories. Did you know that Japanese cotton plants face down rather than up? #japan #japanesecotton #japantextiletour #cotton #naturalfiber #naturaldye #kakishibu #persimmondye #tachibanatextileinstitute
In Osaka, we visited the headquarters of the SAORI weaving movement, and learned about the history of the movement from Kenzo Jo, the son of Misao Jo, and Saori movement's co-founder. This corner of the studio is a lovely tribute to Misao Jo (1913-2018). Saori's exuberant acceptance of all forms of creative expression in weaving as equally beautiful, and the equipment's accessibility by people of all ages and abilities -- are hugely exciting and appealing. Can't wait to continue my Saori adventure in New York, at @loopoftheloom. #saori #saoriweaving #weaving #textileart #fiberart #handwoven #osakajapan #osaka #japan #japantextile #japantextiletour #japantextiletour2019 #misaojo #weaver
Silver- and gold-leaf paper-backed thread for weaving, at one of the weaving workshop showrooms in the Nishijin district of Kyoto. #kyoto #kyotojapan #japan #goldleaf #paperyarn #yarn #goldyarn #nishijintextile #textile #weaving #japaneseweaving #japanesetextile #japantextile #kyotoweaving #oldkyoto #thread #textileart #weavingstudio #japantextiletour #handmadeyarn #handmade
In Kyoto, we stayed in a traditional house in the famed Nishijin district. This is the peaceful small garden in the back of the house, bathed in the morning light. Although the configuration of the house made it somewhat challenging for our group of 9 to fit into, the proximity to the many treasures of old Kyoto's textiles district, and to the flea market, were a plus. #japan #kyotojapan #kyoto #japanese #japangarden #morninginjapan #morninglight #peaceful #nature #nishijin #traditionaljapan #traditionaljapanesehouse #zengarden #quietude #japantextiletour
At the Tachibana Textile Institute showroom, we listened to a presentation about, among other things, the range of colors they have attained with natural dyes derived from the natural materials in the Onomichi region of Japan. #japan #japantextiletour #japantextiletour2019 #japantextiles #naturaldyes #naturaldyeing #yarn #smallbusiness #sustainability #naturalcolors #nature #colorpalette #onomichi #tachibanatextileinstitute
Beautiful noren (threshold curtains) are everywhere in Japan. This one is one of my favorites. Hand-woven and hand-dyed, this noren has a beautiful graphical effect and a gorgeous handspun texture. I made a series of short videos of noren in the wind, and this particular noren really comes alive when it moves. Stay tuned for the videos! This noren is in the town of Katsuyama, where many local businesses are adorned with noren by a single artist, Yoko Kano of @studiohinoki Hinoki Gallery (whom we also visited on our trip). I'm not certain whether this noren was made by Ms. Kano or another artist. #noren #textile #handspun #handdyed #itajimeshibori #itajime #naturalfiber #japan #handmade #katsuyama #japantravel #japanese #textileart #fiberart #japantextiletour #japantextiletour2019
Eye-candy for any fiber lover! A rainbow colored wall of fine silk yarn at Soushitsuzureen Textile Studio in Kyoto. One of the few places where the incredible technique of tsuzure ori (weaving) is practiced. Because of the extreme fine scale of the work, a tsuzure weaver makes a series of notches in their fingernail (!) to resemble a fine comb, to "beat" the weft thread as they work on their meticulous tapestries. https://www.soushitsuzureen.com/ #japan #japantextiletour #japantextiletour2019 #kyoto #nishijin #yarn #wallofyarn #silk #weaving #fiberart #textile #tapestry #colors #weaving #artiststudio #tsuzure #tsuzureori #japanese #craft #textileartist #textileart
I have just returned from a whirlwind trip to Japan. Our textile tour group visited more than half a dozen locations, including Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokushima, and took part in just as many hands-on workshops, from Saori weaving to indigo dyeing, and beyond. It was an unforgettable experience, parts of which, I am sure, I will be savoring for years. I have admired Japan's extraordinary craft tradition for a long time, and I have used Japanese-made clay dyes and shibori/itajime inspired techniques in my artwork for several years. Those were my primary motivations for taking this tour. I expected to be wowed by Japanese textiles, and the magnificent textiles and textile-making practices I saw on the tour exceeded all my expectations. I expected to swoon under the cherry blossoms, and although lower temperatures delayed the flowers in many places, the cherry and plum blossoms we did see were all the more precious. What I did not expect was to meet such wonderful friends among my tour-mates, and to be so affected at virtually step of the way, by the Japanese people's approach to life and to things. The best term I can think of to describe it is... respect. Respect toward each other, toward materials, toward nature, toward handmade objects, toward tradition. The latter, of course, can be both a treasure and a stumbling block, but I won't expound on that now. Virtually all that I experienced or witnessed in Japan was steeped in respect and in care. I found that to be so endearing and refreshing, because these values are found in short supply in daily life here in the West. The trip wasn't all peaches and cream, or mochi and red bean paste, as it were. I missed my family while away; a bad cold slowed me down for a portion of the trip; and it was a bit of a challenge dealing with communal living and unseasonably cold nights for a few nights of the tour. All in the past now, though. The only other downside I can think of is that I would have loved to spend much more learning time in some of the places we visited, especially in the dyeing studios. (To be cont’d) Shown here —One of the many spectacular shibori specimens at the Shibori Museum in Arimatsu.
@toyomiarts7 instructed us how to dye with sakura (cherry) at #artandcraftvillage In Okayama. #sakuradye #cherryblossom #cherrydye #dyeingworkshop #japantextiletour #loopoftheloom
Treasure for today’s dyers. #sekkashibori #itajime #japaneseshibori #westafricancloth #itochu #loopoftheloom #japantextiletour #arimatsu