Rich glow of gold brocade
At Orisho Hirai, silk threads are intertwined with gold threads and woven into splendid gold brocade priest robes. According to the Nishijin weaving tradition, the umebata loom is installed below ground level to create the perfect condition for weaving—humidity softens the silk threads, making them easier to deal with. Kyoto traditional technique called hikibaku consists of affixing gold leaves on a sheet of washi paper with lacquer, cutting it into extremely thin filaments (about 0.3 mm) and weaving the obtained gold threads into the silk fabric for the luxurious three-dimensional effect.

Modern Folk Craft ceramics
Kawai studio was founded by Takeichi Kawai, the nephew of Kanjiro Kawai, a prominent potter and key figure of Mingei movement. Pottery created here is both functional and decorative, keeping Mingei philosophy alive. Raised in Kawai family, the actual 3rd-generation Master potter Akiteru Kawai is the heir of the folk craft tradition. Usually, Kyoto pottery is produced by the division of labour, but in order to maintain the uniform style of his works, Akiteru handles all the steps of pottery making himself. Crafting a vast range of pottery from tea bowls to tableware and flower vases, he is passing down the heritage of Japanese folk craft to the future generations.

The supervisor of fine yuzen kimono making

Kyo-tegaki-yuzen dyeing is produced by thoroughly fragmented division of labour and involves up to 15 various processes. Sairin(Tomihiro Senko) is mastering all these sophisticated processes to create high-quality order-made products. The atelier is excelling in a special technique which consists of using a paintbrush instead of a writing brush for the deepest penetration of dyes into the fabric. Sairin(Tomihiro Senko) is an experienced supervisor of all the kimono-making processes and provides fine goods for the Imperial household. Familiar with the traditional patterns and designs, the atelier is also known for the production of elegant miscellaneous Japanese-style textile goods.

Karakami paper that adorns Shinto shrines, Buddist temples and tearooms

Simply put, Kyo-karakami is a type of woodblock print which uses printing blocks hand-carved on magnolia wood with traditional patterns passed down from ancient times. It is produced by a traditional method where coloring materials called kira (mica) and gofun (white pigment) are added to its surface, and the design is copied with the palm of the hand by overlaying it onto washi paper or torinoko (lustrous and smooth paper) one sheet at a time. To this day, Maruni continues to use printing blocks from the Tempo Era (1830-1844) and protects the patterns, coloring materials, tools, and traditions of old.

Elegant patterns created with tie-dyeing technique

Established in the precincts of Kandaijin shrine in 1932, Atelier Morimoto is specializing in tie-dyeing. Through the division of labour, the atelier is consistently carrying out all the stages of dyeing process, from designing patterns to colouring. Dyeing is performed with the technique that consists of tying the parts of the cloth which are not to be coloured before dyeing it in different colours (resist dyeing). The atelier is famous for its high-quality dyed goods such as wedding futons decorated with flower and landscape patterns, which require mastering Kyo-kanoko-shibori technique representing the essence of Kyoto tie-dyeing tradition.

Discover the History of Nishijin Textiles in a Kyoto Townhouse.

Founded in 1906, Watabun is a long-established company that carries the tradition of “Nishijin brocade” into the present.

It is located in the Nishijin textile district, which is supported by labor division of yarn dyeing, warping, and hand weaving.

Orinasukan is a “weaver’s house,” an architectural style unique to Nishijin in which the workplace and residence are combined into a single structure.

Feel the breath of history of Nishijin, the city of Kyoto, with its traditional Kyoto machiya houses and cobblestone streets.