Nishijin Textile Center "Sorahiki-Bata" A Japanese Traditional Handloom

Today, I had the privilege of witnessing a rare demonstration of a traditional hand loom at the Nishijin Textile Center. In Japan, this loom was in use from around the 5th century until the early Meiji period, but it rapidly disappeared with the advent of the Jacquard loom. Very few of these original looms remain, making this reproduction particularly special. The reproduction process involved painstaking research, drawing upon historical documents and other sources to recreate the loom as accurately as possible. Incredibly, only two artisans today possess the expertise to operate this ancient machine.

After receiving an in-depth explanation of its mechanics, I understood well how it works. In this blog, I’ll be sharing insights about Nishijin-ori, gradually revealing its rich history and artistry. This marks the beginning of a deeper exploration of this remarkable tradition. More to come soon!