Another month comes to a close here. We are getting some good rain again and are grateful. A cold and wet day means a good day for working inside and cleaning up paperwork, posting online, and answering emails.
shibori curves… like life and the unexpected curves
first time student was patient and deliberate-guntai shibori
Unfortunately, one of those emails was accepting the cancellation of two spots for this year’s Silk Study Tour to Japan. This year’s tour has been the year of cancellations! Never before have I had this many having to bow out of the tour! Almost all for health reasons unfortunately. What a disappointment for those who have had to back out! Every time I have been able to fill in the earlier spots but now, here we are in the home stretch, having to fill in a couple of spaces. Would you or someone you know like to join us? This tour is an exciting and educational adventure into the textile world of Japan wrapped in the culture and beauty of the Japanese people.
What will you experience?
- a visit to a traditional sericulture farm
- a visit with an indigo dyer
- entrance into the beautiful museum of Ichiku Kubota
- a night at a resort hotel overlooking Kawaguchi Lake
- tour of a Silk Museum (or two! Yokohama optional)
- several nights at a resort spa ryokan (inn) with traditional Japanese baths and a lovely traditional Japanese dinner
- two nights in Tokyo Ginza area with free time to visit museums,shop and a day side trip to Kamakura and Yokohama-optional
- a stop at a kimono museum (if open)
- a visit to an obi weaver
- a visit to Tomioka Silk Mill (new World Cultural Heritage site)
- a stop at a textile museum
- a morning at the famous Kyoto temple sales
- a visit to the shibori museum in Kyoto
visit the Amuse Boro Museum in Tokyo(optional)Sadly, this museum is closing March 31- a visit to a washi studio (handmade papermaker)
- a visit with a modern sericulturist
- tea ceremony
- and any added invitations we may receive and accept! (we already have a few!)
- a workshop with a natural dyer
- a workshop with Ton Cara-a silk processing and weaving studio
- and more!
Not to mention all the small moments that you will experience if you wonder and notice!This year (we always have repeat travelers as it is a trip that can be taken more than once), we have the honor to include once again, the author of the book American Silk, 1830-1930:Entrepreneurs and Artifacts, by Jacqueline Roberts and Madelyn Shaw. This book details the history of silk production in the US and is a wonderful look at early entrepreneurs and the textile mills pre-synthetics. I enjoyed it very much.
Coincidentally, I met Jacqueline at a Costume Society of America convention many years ago when it was in San Diego (2007 or ’08). She had a table in the vendor room and I saw her book on the table as I passed by. Of course I stopped and talked to her and bought the book. It was several years later that she came on the silk tour and I recognized her name. I had to ask if that had been her I bought her book from and of course it was! How interesting that our paths would cross like that!You can book the tour with or without airfare- ask me for the Land Only price. More info here. Single supplement also available. Please share with anyone you know who might be interested!
Shibori Girl 