Here we are back in Japan and off to the Japan Traditional Crafts Centre Aoyama Square where we were given a detailed demonstration of the intricate way the weft thread is prepared for weaving the cloth to make indigo kimonos
The cloth is woven in narrow strips. The weft thread is put on the frame you see above and the design is marked with a ‘resist’ on the weft thread at each place where the thread will remain white (undyed). The thread is then dyed in indigo, the ‘resist’ removed and then the cloth is woven with this thread. What a process!
There were other smaller items made from this cloth
The centre is supported by the Japanese government and only certain crafts that reach the required standard are admitted
There was a mass of origami papers, very tempting!
and cute little craft kits
My notebook is filled with craft ideas, if any of them ever emerge into reality I will be sure to share them with you.
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I’d have had trouble resisting one of those bowl (or 2 or 3).
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They are lovely aren’t they. I had to resist lots of things, wondering what else I would be seeing and keeping the baggage allowance in mind all the time – hurray for photos, which means I can still enjoy them.
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I’ve had so many experiences in Japan but never a textile one like this. The closest I’ve come is a tour through my local towel manufacturing company. Learning about the jndigo dyes has been on my to do list for years. Hope you’re enjoying your trip!
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I’m back now Wren, and loving sharing my trip with my fellow bloggers. I will be writing more about indigo dying in subsequent posts – one place to go that is an absolute MUST is The Little Indigo Museum, created by Mr. Shindo – he is such a lovely man: http://en.japantravel.com/kyoto/the-little-indigo-museum/18364.
I posted this :https://daffodilwild.wordpress.com/2015/11/09/in-a-vase-on-monday-in-japan/
whilst in Japan, but there will be much more about it in a later post. I’m so excited that you are reading my posts – thank you so much for your comments. I absolutely fell in love with Japan and really want to return. xx
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Always plan to come home from Japan with a heavier suitcase or post back .
It was great to see you made it to the Craft Centre. The prefecture display / sales centre in Tokyo is also worth a visit, I don’t know where it is currently located.
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Yes, you are so right Denis! I did post a bit back but that was quite expensive – I might do what some of the others did and have a second suitcase that one pays £65 to carry on the airline – but that might be going a bit far! I like the sound of the other sales centre you mention. I would have liked to have seen more crafts that were not necessarily to such a high standard – like a craft fair.
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There seems so much going on there Daffy, Your head must be buzzing with ideas. 🙂
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Buzzing is right Eddie, and then that thing called ‘life’ kinda gets in the way! There is so much I’m wanting to create after my trip, but it is helping to integrate it all by sharing it here – isn’t blogland wonderful!
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Yes, it certainly is wonderful. We get to share so much with each other, and it is wonderful to see and experience new things too 🙂
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Really interesting. Look forward to your craft ideas.
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Thank you Rainbow – I think it might take a while for them to come to fruition.
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Now that sounds like a plan! Disposable clothes could help too . I know what you mean about being overwhelmed at so much choice! Look forward to seeing your project.
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Thanks Cathy – yes there was a woman in our group who brought old clothes with her that she left behind in order to fill her case with goodies. Now why didn’t I think of that!
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But did you do any shopping. I couldn’t have resisted a kit or two or three….
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I did very little shopping – buying only some of the prepared weaving threads for a project I have in mind – I think I felt a bit overwhelmed with the amount of things I wanted to buy and how much more I would be seeing and mindful of the baggage allowance – this was only Day Two of 14!! If I go again, I will only take the clothes I travel in and an empty suitcase! xx
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