Sentiment Towards Nishijin, Nishijin Silk Brocade
Nishijin kinran brocade, pearl-powder, genuine silver leaf pattern, Hikifoil, Spinning top Connect pattern, tapestry

The Creation Process of an Nishijin Brocade Hikibaku Tapestry

How the “Nishijin Kinran brocade tapestry” is completed

【History and Tradition】

Since our founding, we have carefully preserved the traditional weaving technique known as “Hikibaku,” which uses short and flat threads made from Washi paper, lacquer, and genuine gold leaf. We produce numerous silk textiles that extensively use “Genuine Hikibaku” or “Genuine Patterned Foil.”

Although the technique of Hikibaku originated from China, it is now a unique and profound weaving method practiced only in Nishijin and some parts of Tango.

As the demand for Hikibaku products has decreased over time, it has become uncertain how long we will be able to obtain the “foil thread” used in our beloved weaving technique.

Therefore, we believe that promoting the weaving technique of Hikibaku more prominently, making it widely known, and discovering new demand will help preserve Hikibaku for future generations.

【All-Silk Nishijin Brocade Gold Silk Pearl Powder Genuine Silver Foil Patterned Hikibaku Tapestry with Spinning Top Pattern】

引箔　楽芸工房

Foil threads　Rakugei Kobo　https://rakugei.jp/

We custom-ordered foil threads made from Washi paper, genuine silver, and pearl powder from Rakugei Studio, which has continued to produce foil threads for obi.

  • Foil Thread Washi: Durable Washi paper used for banknotes.
  • Foil Thread Genuine Silver: Silver not only in its natural color but also processed to produce various hues.
  • Foil Thread Pearl Powder: High-quality material unique to Nishijin, historically using sea jewels like mother-of-pearl, pearls, and coral. Utilizing pearl powder from pearls that do not meet product standards of pearl farmers aligns with recent SDGs and sustainability efforts.
  • Foil Thread Cutting: The foil thread is cut at Takeuchi Cutting Workshop in Nishijin using a guillotine machine, yielding 95 threads per sun, each approximately 0.3 mm thick.
引箔　製織風景

Production Supervision, Design, Pattern Design, and Weaving.

Nishijin Okamoto Okamoto Orimono Co., Ltd https://okamotoorimono.com/

The “spinning top pattern,” which depicts the continuous spinning of tops, has been redesigned and transformed into a pattern. Using foil thread on a shuttle loom equipped with a Hikibaku device, we employ a weaving method known as “junbiki,” which resembles ikat. This method involves weaving each thread sequentially to ensure the pattern does not shift.

The structure is designed to create varying intensities in the appearance of the patterned foil, and additional depth is achieved by layering patterns woven with a Jacquard loom.

樋口金襴整理店

Post-processing by Higuchi Kinran Refining Store

The essential post-processing step of “stretching” in the Kinran industry is meticulously done by hand at Higuchi Kinran Refining Store.

西陣織 金襴 ファブリックタイル　ケルト紋様

Sewing by Yoshino　https://www.instagram.com/yoshinoshigeko/

Sewing by Yoshino, who specializes in making Buddhist robes using Kinran fabric, pure silk, and hemp.

We cherish the techniques and materials inherited from our ancestors in Kyoto and the Nishijin area, and we will continue to protect and preserve Nishijin brocade gold silk.

＊At Nishijin Okamoto, we see it as our mission to not only increase traditional work for various traditional craft companies but also create new jobs. If you need any craftsmen, please feel free to contact us.

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