Monthly Archives: May 2026

2026 Japanese textile arts tour May-June Kyoto

19 Tuesday May 2026

Posted by in 2012 WORKS KIAJA

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A great start to meet this artisan craft group and friends in Kyoto from 13-18 May. An inspiring group of people met at Sarasa Nishijin, organised by Hashiba san and her team.

Sarasa Nishijin textile workshop a converted Edo period Bath house venue in Kyoto residential area.
Suyoko san and workshop in vintage rug upcycled brooches.
Knotted cotton rug turned into many brooches.. sensei Ako.
Sensei Ako is the brooch teacher

Sensei Noriko from Tsuyama taught me rug knotting basics.

My indigo dyed cotton and gardenia dyed threads made a small key chain.

Thanks to the team or senshoku I was able to hear about Toyomi Harada’s trip to Taiwan with Suyoko. What a great team presentation.

Toyomi above and Suyoko have been friends a long time since studying together in Kyoto.

I found the infectious enthusiasm, energy and team lunches and dinners very helpful to learn and share skills.

A surprise visitor Mr Ichihiro Sugimoto Japan dyer and Akane madder specialist from Osaka joined us for a short time- and later textile factory visits nearby. A packed schedule that I hope Hashiba san will repeat soon.

Mr Sugimoto is a chemist trained in akane madder revitalisation. It was great to see him again with Toyomi.
Hashiba san above owns a textile business called Ako gabbeh specialising in small seat rugs and teaching others the skills.
The Sarasa Nishijin Textile workshop project photographer is MC from Hong Kong. A busy time capturing the activities and people together as well as her own recent Kyotographie exhibition. Warm congratulations to all the senshoku textile organisers.

I look forward to adding to this topic in Tsuyama and Okayama in late May!

Credit to Art Craft Village Okayama