Handwoven Japan

Back from a trip of weaving adventure in Japan. Totally inspired but now trying to absorb the enormity of what I learnt and saw there again.

I’ll admit that this type of trip isn’t easy for me. I’m often overwhelmed with homesickness which I know is unusual and wrong but there it is. But if this is the only way I can experience and explore Japanese methods of weaving to incorporate into my own studio work it has all been worth it.

First stop was Saori no Mori which always motivates the hands and senses. Learning even more about easy and direct methods of working with Saori tools and seeing the development of fantastic clothing designs worn by staff and visitors was amazing. Although my small studio is a mini version of this large one  I saw more ways to make changes that will motivate weavers even more.

Next stop was the Kawashima Textile School for 2 weeks of Kasuri study. This was really like going to another handweaving planet. Kasuri kimono weavers who took months to tie knots and weave fine fabric, traditional tools that will greatly help me in an Australian context, tours of the Kawashima Textile factory which made me feel that Australia is deprived of such high end skills and manufacturing, wonderful home style cooking three times a day, a dye room of dreams and a fabulous course and teacher – Emma Omote. Each of these I will write about in the coming weeks while I wait for the slow boat to deliver some of those traditional Japanese weaving tools which will solve so many of my handweaving/dye issues that I encounter in my design and weaving practice.