Weaving MANGA with the Rare Nishijin Technique “Hikibaku”｜New Work “Hyuran.” to Be Unveiled at the Expo
Weaving MANGA with Nishijin Techniques｜New Tapestry “Hyuran.” to Be Exhibited at Osaka-Kansai Expo
Okamoto Orimono Co., Ltd. (Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto)
Okamoto Orimono Co., Ltd. (CEO: Keiji Okamoto) has created a new tapestry titled “Hyuran.” (approx. 250cm × 140cm) in collaboration with the young manga creator unit “Granuto,” using the traditional Nishijin weaving technique known as *hikibaku*.
This piece will be exhibited at the “EXPO Messe WASSE” during the Osaka-Kansai Expo in October 2025, and is also scheduled to appear at “TOKYO TEXTILE SCOPE” from November 12–14.
Our company has preserved the expressive weaving techniques of Nishijin that can only be produced using handlooms and shuttle looms—methods that have become increasingly rare. We value the rich texture and depth that only shuttle weaving can achieve. While *hikibaku* is frequently used in our studio, it remains a rare technique and material even within Nishijin. This traditional method involves applying foil to paper, slicing it finely, and weaving it together with silk threads to create shimmering depth and light.
“Hyuran.” is a textile interpretation of manga’s panel layout, blank space, and the flow of time. The layered structure of silk and foil quietly conveys fragments of a story.
Granuto is a creative unit formed by teenage artists from Kyoto. Known for their delicate composition and poetic worldview, they depict “a story of two people chasing light in a dream” in this work. As they engage with the materiality of Nishijin weaving, their expression emerges within the textile—an embodiment of cross-generational and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
Hikibaku is not merely a technique to be preserved. By re-narrating it, we can pass it on to the next generation. That possibility is woven into “Hyuran.”
“Hyuran.” also serves as a sample that demonstrates how Nishijin weaving can embody the worldview of artists and designers. Custom commissions are welcome. We invite you to experience the textures born from the hands of our artisans at the venue.
EXPO2025 Exhibition Overview
- Exhibition Title: Voyage to the Future – The Journey of Small Businesses Toward 20XX
- Venue: EXPO Messe “WASSE” at the 2025 Japan International Exposition (Osaka-Kansai Expo)
- Dates: Friday, October 3 – Tuesday, October 7, 2025
- Format: Interactive Exhibition
- METI Press Release
The opening ceremony will be held at 10:00 on October 3 (Fri), followed by a preview tour at 10:30. Regular exhibition hours begin at 11:00.
TOKYO TEXTILE SCOPE Exhibition Overview
- Exhibition Title: TOKYO TEXTILE SCOPE
- Venue: Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center, Hamamatsucho Building 5F, Booth B-118
- Dates: Wednesday, November 12 – Friday, November 14, 2025
About the Work of Nishijin Artisans
At Okamoto Orimono, we continue to weave using handlooms and shuttle looms. The texture and depth of our textiles cannot be fully conveyed through photographs. We encourage you to visit the venue and witness the expressions born from the hands of our artisans.
Here is a video featuring the craftsmanship behind “MANGA × Nishijin Weaving: The Making of Hyuran.”
You can also view the short version here: Short version of The Making of Hyuran
We have also published interviews with our artisans, offering deeper insights into the background and techniques behind the creation.
About Okamoto Orimono Co., Ltd.
Founded in Nishijin, Kyoto. Specializing in kinran textiles for shrines and temples, we strive to preserve traditional techniques while integrating contemporary expression.
About Granuto
A creative unit formed by Kyoto-born artists “Kohno Shin” and “Metabo.”
