searching for shibori

I came in search of Arimatsu, a small town along the old Tokaido Road (the East Sea route from Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto). Dating back to the early 1600s, Arimatsu has been associated with shiborizome. (You may have seen it represented in ukiyo-e prints by Hiroshige as one of the 53 stations of the Tokaido.) In 1934, a small part of town was designated for preservation.

I visited the Arimatsu-Narumi shibori museum, where two ladies in their 90s were demonstrating shibori techniques. (One was doing kanoko; the other working on kumo. The guide told me at this age they were “very professional”).

There are some samples of kimono fabric rolls in different patterns and techniques.

There are shops selling indigo items along the streets.

Because shibori was my gateway to an interest in Japanese textile techniques, I felt I owed it to the town to stop and visit. But, partly stemming from the experience at the farmhouse, I feel I’m moving on from shibori and ready for a new challenge. Thank you, shibori, for introducing me to this path.