4 hour private experience
Location: Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
Meet the Masters
What you’ll do
Learn about the history of traditional Kaga nui embroidery. Then, under guidance from master Kaga nui artisans, learn about the centuries-old techniques and try your hand at embroidering your own Kaga nui piece.
Availability
Everyday except Tuesdays
Session 1 (13:00 - 17:00)
Who can attend
Children must be 7+
What’s included
A Kaga nui piece, embroidered by yourself
What to wear
Comfortable clothing is recommended
Access
20 minutes by car from Kanazawa Station
Painting with Thread
At a glance, what appears to be a watercolor painting turns into a carefully and intricately hand-embroidered landscape upon closer inspection. With characteristic flourishing gradations bringing a two-dimensional pattern to life, Kaga nui embroidery is a traditional craft of the Kaga domain, current Ishikawa Prefecture. The origins of hand embroidery in Japan are found in the hand embroidery of Buddhist iconography on cloth. The craft arrived in the Kaga domain during the Muromachi Period from Kyoto, accompanying the propagation of Buddhism in the region. In contrast to Kyo-nui embroidery, which involves embroidering over dyed patterns and designs, Kaga nui begins from a blank slate with an undersketch, onto which the artisan handpaints with thread and needle. What began as an embroidery craft specifically for religious items, such as Buddhist altar cloths and monks' sashes, evolved, during the Edo Period, into a textile craft, often combined with the dyeing technique of Kaga yuzen, for decorating the kimono of the domain's samurai ruling class. As silk thread and cloth production have decreased and the use of kimono has dwindled, this Kaga nui studio has turned to utilizing the traditional craft in designing with a modern touch. Join two generations of Kaga nui embroidery artisans and get a hands-on experience of the precision and artistic grace of this traditional Kaga domain craft.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 3 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
