Latest news with #Nishijin
16-06-2025
- Business
Iida Group x Osaka Metropolitan University Joint Pavilion: Futuristic Housing and Community Planning
Expo 2025 Osaka Kansai Guide to Japan Global Exchange Travel Jun 16, 2025 A look at the joint pavilion by the Iida Group and Osaka Metropolitan University at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka. This pavilion has been jointly organized by the home developer Iida Group and Osaka Metropolitan University. It is entirely covered in specially processed Nishijin brocade fabric from Kyoto, expressing a fusion of the future with tradition. Exhibits present 'futuristic housing' and 'community planning' for healthy and comfortable living, with technologies such as artificial photosynthesis, which utilizes carbon dioxide to produce energy. The showpiece is a futuristic 'Wellness Smart City,' located in the center of the pavilion. An oval-shaped diorama, measuring 15 x 24 meters, will help visitors to imagine life in the future society. The Iida Group/OMU joint pavilion is located in the West Gate Zone. ( See the official map for details.) The joint pavilion by Iida Group and Osaka Metropolitan University. (© ) (© ) (Originally published in Japanese. Reporting and text by Uchiyama Ken'ichi and . Photographic assistance by Kuroiwa Masakazu of 96-Box. Banner photo © .) Osaka Kansai Expo
Yomiuri Shimbun
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Woven Reproduction of Famed Screen Paintings Dedicated to Kenninji Temple; Artisans Took Seven Years to Weave Replica of ‘Wind God and Thunder God'
The Yomiuri Shimbun Kikuo Hirano, far left, looks at a pair of hanging scrolls, a reproduction of the 'Wind God and Thunder God Screens,' in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto. KYOTO — An exquisite, uniquely woven reproduction of the famous pair of 17th-century byobu screen paintings 'Wind God and Thunder God Screens' by Tawaraya Sotatsu, has been dedicated to Kenninji temple in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto. The original paintings, designated national treasures, are owned by the temple. The reproduction consists of two tapestries, one depicting the Wind God and the other showing the Thunder God. It is displayed as a pair of hanging scrolls, each measuring about 1.9 meters long and wide. The reproduction was made and dedicated to the temple in March by the Nishijin Textile Industry Association in Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto. The tapestries were woven with Japanese silk thread, which is difficult to obtain today, and thread made from pure gold. They were made with a unique Nishijin weaving method that requires meticulous, highly skilled craftsmanship. This method creates complex patterns which can only be woven at a rate of one square centimeter per day. Four master weavers, including Kikuo Hirano, 85, took seven years to complete this full-size reproduction of the original paintings, which was finished in 2015. The tapestries were dedicated in time for the Osaka-Kansai Expo. The dedication ceremony was held in the room of the temple's head priest, where the reproduction was hung. The president of the textile association said, 'Seeing it here, it looks wonderful, as if it's finally found its right place.' Hirano, who has been in the field for more than 70 years and was responsible for weaving the Wind God, said: 'When I examined the original paintings, I thought the key point was how they depict the clouds. I was able to make mine so that it looks like they're really floating in the air [as in the original paintings]. Kenninji chief priest Taigan Kobori said that the temple would treasure the reproductions.
Japan Forward
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
A Three-Day Celebration of Fashion, Craft, and Culture in Nihonbashi
The annual Tokyo Kimono Show took place at various locations in the Nihonbashi area from April 18 to 20. This event is always highly anticipated and is enjoyed by many kimono fans. This event, and Kimono Salone in the fall, are special chances for kimono makers and kimono users to get together. They can meet each other, enjoy looking at new products, see kimono exhibitions and fashion shows, and take part in various workshops. The ¥1,500 JPY (about $10 USD) ticket provides access to all the various venues over the three-day event. A guidebook provides a map of the various locations, what is happening at each one, and schedules of shows and workshops. It also includes an index of the booths where makers who don't have outlets in Tokyo come to show their goods. Rumi Rock's booth at Tokyo Kimono Show. (©Sheila Cliffe) The event is an exciting combination of entertainment and education. It's also a great opportunity to spend too much if you do not keep a tight hold on your purse strings. The theme for 2025 was "Kimono Is Expression." As the theme perfectly matches how I think about kimono, I gave a short talk on the subject at Sankatsu company, which is a traditional yukata brand in Nihonbashi. There, they showed new designs as well as work by Nishijin weavers from Kyoto, a tie-dye workshop from Kyoto, and obi weaving from Hakata in Kyushu. At Sunrise Building, one of Tokyo Kimono Show's venues, there was a large display of kimono on mannequins. This is much anticipated and usually has a historical section as well as plenty of new and avant-garde ideas on display. Police and fireman kimono. (©Sheila Cliffe) Last year in 2024, the historical section was clothing from the Heian period, which is always popular. In 2025, it was characters from the Edo period, showing the different clothing according to occupation, which was very interesting. Gorgeous embroidered kosode and also a kimono made of paper were shown. Washi is a durable material, and kamiko paper clothing was not uncommon in the past. In the modern section, Justin Chou, who made Taiwan's clothing for the Olympics in 2020 and 2024, had made some amazing outfits combining elements of Taiwanese dress, kimono, and total fantasy into garments that could excite any runway or stage performance. Interesting voluminous obi (left) and boy's kimono by Hossy. (©Sheila Cliffe) Hossy, a men's designer went with the idea of wearing a theme and going beyond the ordinary. Especially notable was his outfit for a boy's coming-of-age ceremony, which seems to combine kimono and French courtly style, and his patchwork tartan men's kimono which was a very cool, stylish item. Kimono by Hossy (left) and Justin Chou. (©Sheila Cliffe) The general section had kimono from the early 20th Century to the present, styled in interesting ways. Oda Kimono School and Ohara Japanese Clothing School always present work by students, and it is good to know that young people are working to become professionals in the kimono industry. I even met a girl from overseas who was studying how to become a kimono tailor at one of these schools. Popular Youtuber and Lolita fashionista Cathy Cat was reporting through the weekend, and she had a Lolita, kimono-inspired dress in the show. The pastel colors were very harmonious and, like kimono, the accessories were many and various and it was very carefully put together. Sheila Cliffe with Cathy Cat and her kimono-inspired dress. (©Sheila Cliffe) Alongside the exhibition was a space for tea ceremony, and kimono wearers needing a break and a boost could partake in tea ceremony with the comfort of chairs. This was popular as the whole event is in various locations and involves a lot of walking between them to see everything. The four stage performances per day were at Blooming Nakanishi. There were traditional Japanese performing arts, such as kodan storytelling and puppet performance. Fashion shows were also held, featuring various makers such as Kahana and Fuji Shibori. Some parts of the event were more educational, including a talk and an award ceremony honoring people who work in the kimono industry. Kahana shop with light-up obi. (©Sheila Cliffe) For those who wanted to do something hands-on, rather than just watching, the workshop space at Tagen provided this. There were many accessory-making workshops using beads, mizuhiki paper threads, Japanese fabric, etc. Hair and obi accessories and various kinds of bags could be produced. There was also a spot in the shop section where you could dye your own kimono collar in the nagashizome style of floating dyes on liquid and then transferring it to cloth. For even more fun, there was a special photo booth, and a rickshaw was available for people wanting rides between the venues. Dyeing workshop at Tokyo Kimono Show. (©Sheila Cliffe) For many visitors, the main reason for coming to the Tokyo Kimono Show is to see almost 100 booths selling everything from kimono fabric and obi to new accessories, bags, umbrellas, and all kinds of kimono-related items. These booths are spread across four floors and always intensely crowded. Iwasa's modern zori. (©Sheila Cliffe) The event offers a chance to pick up a roll of cloth to make a new kimono, to find the zori that you have been waiting for, or to explore new offerings of summer yukata and obi to add to your wardrobe. The variety of shops and products is amazing, from light-up obi accessories to traditional Japanese silks and even kimono underwear, there are so many things to choose from. Everyone can find their style in here somewhere. Kimono is expression! Author: Sheila Cliffe Read other columns on kimono by the author .
