Wisteria Weaving Workshop

learn the ancient art of weaving with wisteria

Why wisteria weaving?

Wisteria is a beautiful mountain flower that blooms for a brief time in the spring. Ancient people in Japan developed techniques for weaving the fibers from the inner part of the vines into fabric. This artform dates back to the Jomon Period and is thousands of years old. It is the oldest of weaving techniques in Japan and is one of the “ancient fabrics” that Japanese anscestors wove before Japan was even Japan.

Why wisteria weaving in Kyoto by the Sea?

Kyoto by the Sea is the only place this artform survived in all of Japan. The techniques were thought to have died out with the industrialization of cotton. But one village in Japan continued to weave, unbeknownst to the rest of the country. It is only here that the techniques were continued and passed on once more to other areas in Japan. Kyoto by the Sea has also been recognized as a top 100 Green Destination for the work the region is doing to preserve and promote wisteria weaving.

About our wisteria weaver

Sakane-san has been a weaving specialist her entire life and is one of the few continuing this endangered art and sharing it with future generations. She heads the Tango Wisteria Preservation Society and holds training sessions for people who want to learn this amazing artform. The workshop visit takes place in her seaside studio, where she takes guests through a shortened hands-on explanation of the entire process, from vine cutting, preparation, thread making, and the final stage of weaving.

where is this experience?

want to learn more about wisteria weaving in Kyoto by the Sea? Check out our Kyoto by the Sea TIMES article all about it