Watch as generations of regional crafting heritage are woven into elegant textiles
2 hour private experience
Location: Kagoshima City
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in your language
A minimum of 2 guests is required to book. Solo participants are welcome but will be charged the 2-person rate
Meet the Master
What you’ll do
Tour an Oshima tsumugi textile factory and observe the various processes of weaving and dyeing. Talk with the head artisan who's made countless masterpieces, including priceless work for the Honduras Olympic team during the Tokyo Olympics. Learn more about this traditional craft and its unique ties with the region.
Who can attend
Children must be 10+
Availability
Monday to Friday
Session 1 (09:00 - 11:00)
Session 2 (11:00 - 13:00)
Session 3 (13:00 - 15:00)
Session 4 (14:00 - 16:00)
Unavailable on weekends, national holidays, and New Year's holidays (closed during the first half of January)
Access
17 minutes by car from Kagoshima Station
Weaving with Song
Intricately hand-made and traditionally decorated with bold geometric patterns, Oshima textiles are durable, elegant, and undeniably time-intensive to craft, requiring over thirty steps from start to finish. To finish just a single textile takes a minimum of 6 months, but often times customers will pick up their finished product over 2 years after the initial order was placed. Each thread, both warp and waft, is carefully calculated before assemblage, pre-dyed before weaving so that the pattern only comes together in the final stages of work. Before then, the fabric is passed through a multitude of artisans each specializing in a specific part of the process, which involves weaving a base fabric to be dyed, carefully dyeing according to the pattern, ripping the material to free the individual threads, then weaving it all together again. A thriving art in Amami Island since the 7th century, the production of Oshima textiles faced restrictions in the early 18th century, as the mainland Satsuma domain banned residents from wearing the fabric, demanding it instead as a tribute to the clan. At this Oshima textile studio, centrally located in a region of Kagoshima City where countless Amami islanders settled during past migration, carrying along their traditions and crafts with them observe the meticulous and artful process of weaving Oshima tsumugi textiles. Dive deep into the history and crafting culture of Kagoshima: exquisite, precise, and filled with local pride.
Cancellation Policy
Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance. See cancellation policy here.
A detailed itinerary will be emailed to you once your booking has been confirmed.
