A complete guide to Oshima Tsumugi experience tours and sightseeing spots in Amami Oshima! Enjoy the charm of traditional Oshima silk!
Table of Contents
- 1 What is Oshima Tsumugi, one of the world's three major textiles?
- 2 Characteristics and Attractiveness of Oshima Tsumugi
- 3 What is the production process of Oshima tsumugi?
- 4 Amami Oshima's traditional industries Popular tours to experience
- 5 Enjoy dressing up and mud-dyeing experiences Sightseeing spots on Amami Oshima Island
- 6 summary
What is Oshima Tsumugi, one of the world's three major textiles?
Oshima Tsumugi is the pride of Japan.Traditional silk fabricsand is considered one of the "world's three great textiles.
Oshima tsumugi, which has been called "Gobelins" in France and "Persian carpets," is attractive for its unique luster and lightness due to mud-dyeing and hand weaving.
The intricate patterns are all woven by hand by artisans, and are highly valued worldwide for their artistry and quality.
◆Those who would like to try mud-dyeing
◆Interested in traditional Oshima axis
◆To experience traditional culture
Popularity of Traditional Cultural Experiences
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What is Tsumugi?
Pongee is a textile made from silk threads made from silkworm cocoons,Lustrous luster and luxurious feel peculiar to silkis a feature of this product.
Yarn silk is dyed at the thread stage using a technique called "yarn dyeing," and then woven to produce beautiful patterns. Since this dyeing and weaving process is highly technical and time-consuming, it requires a great deal of cost to produce.
Not only for its beauty, but also for its durability, tsumugi has long been widely used for everyday and work wear.
History of Oshima Tsumugi
The history of Oshima tsumugi dates back to the Nara period (710-794). The record in the Shosoin of Todaiji Temple states that a brown pongee was offered from the southern island, and this is considered to be the prototype of Oshima tsumugi.
The process approached its present form around 1716, when cotton pongee yarn was used toDyeing with Teechee Wood and Mud FieldThe technique was established.
In the Meiji period (1868-1912), Oshima silk began to be widely distributed, and by the Taisho period (1912-1926), the use of honkinen kneaded yarn gave Oshima silk its unique luster, which is still used today. In recent years, textile products have also appeared and are widely used for clothing and accessories.
↓Click here for Oshima silk weaving experience.
Characteristics and Attractiveness of Oshima Tsumugi
Oshima tsumugi is a high-end fabric that takes a lot of time and effort to produce.
Using a traditional mud-dyeing technique, the yarn is soaked in dye and then rubbed in a mud field to produce a deep and beautiful color. The finished product is delicate yet strong, lightweight, and wrinkle-resistant.
It is also highly practical as a kimono,Six months to one year to completeThe value and rarity of the product is outstanding because it requires
Unique colors created by nature
◆The dye is carefully extracted by boiling teachi trees that grow wild on Amami Oshima Island.
The technique is called "◆mud dyeing," in which dye derived from teche wood reacts with the iron content of Amami mud to produce a deep black or dark brown color.
◆Attractive warm colors unique to natural materials
Kasuri processing
Beautiful patterns are created by the elaborate balance of ◆ yarn dyeing and weaving.
◆Kasuri technique originated in India and was introduced to Japan via Southeast Asia.
◆Amami Oshima Island has developed its own unique kasuri technique and produces Oshima tsumugi with a variety of patterns.
◆Many traditional designs with geometric patterns and nature motifs
Lightweight and wrinkle resistant
◆Lighter than a 500ml plastic bottle, a rare lightness for a kimono
◆Slippery to the touch and fits comfortably against the skin
◆Lightweight yet strong and wrinkle resistant properties
◆Can be worn casually and suitable for daily use
hard to lose track of one's clothes
◆Once dressed, there is little worry of losing the dress.
◆Easy to handle, even for kimono beginners
◆One of the reasons why it was popular as daily or work wear
◆Woven fabrics that combine appearance and convenience
↓Click here for Oshima silk dressing experience
What is the production process of Oshima tsumugi?
Oshima tsumugi is completed through many processes and advanced techniques. Here we introduce the general flow of the process.
First,Original design drawingsCreate a
*Create a detailed pattern for weaving, taking into consideration the density and arrangement of yarns to be used.
(2) Seikei - preparation of yarn
Warp thread length and number of warp threads
Careful preparation to prevent tangling and mis-ordering during production
*Oshima tsumugi takes several months or more to produce, so preparation here is important.
Glueing
Seaweed (igis) is used to glue the threads.
Putting the threads together.
*Insect repellent effect, elasticity enhancement, glazing effect
4) Kasuri jime - preparation of the pattern
Tightening threads according to the design
The unique Oshima tsumugi is used to hold the threads in place with a strong force.
*This prepares the way for the creation of unique kasuri patterns.
(5) Dyeing - Mud Dyeing Process
Dye from the teche tree (wheeled plum tree)
The yarn is dyed more than 30 times and then rubbed in a muddy field to fix the color.
*Reacts with iron contained in the mud, turning it deep black or dark brown.
⑥Weaving process
After dyeing, the woven threads are unraveled to expose the kasuri pattern.
Weaving the yarn as designed while matching the kasuri
Kasuri adjustment: Stop weaving every few centimeters, check for pattern misalignment, and correct by hand sewing.
*Delicate work, only about 10 centimeters of fabric can be woven in a day.
(7) Finishing and inspection
The finished Oshima silk undergoes a strict 24-point inspection by the Honjo Amami Oshima Tsumugi Cooperative Association.
*Only products that have passed the test are distributed in the market.
↓Here are the historical sightseeing spots in Amami Oshima
Amami Oshima's traditional industry.
Popular tours to experience
You will get to know and taste the land more deeply by experiencing Oshima tsumugi, a part of the culture that has taken root on Amami Oshima.
Since Oshima tsumugi is a luxury item, it may be difficult to purchase casually. However, since tours to experience the traditional industry of Oshima tsumugi are available on Amami Oshima, Oshima tsumugi as a culture isCasual fun for everyoneIt is possible to
We will introduce experience tours related to Oshima Tsumugi.
Very popular among women! Kimono dressing experience
Since Oshima tsumugi is a kimono, many people would like to try it on. In Amami Oshima Island, there is an easy dressing experience that will make such a wish come true.
Since dressing a kimono perfectly from scratch can be time-consuming, many people may wonder if they can use the time during their trip to experience it. However, in the dressing experienceEasy to put on over clothesSince you will be given a hands-on experience, you can try it out more easily than you might imagine.
Also,for use by menand ... andFor ChildrenKimonos are also available for couples and families.
↓Click here for Oshima silk dressing experience
5 years old and up can participate!
Next, we would like to introduce you to the experience of weaving on a loom, which is the key to creating Oshima silk.
However, there is no need to worry about technical skills, as a simple loom is used in the Amami Oshima weaving experience. It is not just a weaving experience,Cloth woven by myself is a handkerchiefIt can be taken home as a single elegant piece of fabric that can be used for other purposes.
Not only an experience, but a memory.souvenirIt is a highly recommended experience that you can also get a
↓Click here for Oshima silk weaving experience.
Mud and indigo dyeing experience
Another characteristic of Oshima tsumugi is the dyeing process, which can also be experienced on Amami Oshima.
In mud dyeingmuddy rice fieldThe event is not only a great way to gain cultural knowledge, but also a lot of eventful fun, as you can experience the process of using the product in a very hands-on way. It is also very well received by families with children,Leisurely enjoymentIt is an experience that can also be
However, please note that due to the nature of the experience, there is a high probability that your clothes will get dirty. When participating in this experience, please be sure toWear clothes you don't mind getting dirty.Please make sure to do so.
↓Click here for Oshima Tsumugi Mud Dyeing Experience
Enjoy dressing and mud-dyeing experiences.
Sightseeing spots on Amami Oshima Island
The spots where you can enjoy the experiences we have introduced so far are scattered throughout Amami Oshima. Among them, we would like to introduce some recommended spots that are particularly easy to participate in the experience.
Both of these spots are easy to visit during sightseeing, and we hope you will find them useful.
Yumeori no Sato
Yumeori no Sato is a theme park operated by the weaver of Oshima tsumugi silk, and offers visitors the opportunity to experience the culture of Oshima tsumugi silk from a variety of perspectives. Visitors can learn about Oshima tsumugi from its design, dyeing, weaving, and products, and can see all of its various charms.
The facility also has a pongee workshop attached, where you can talk with the craftsmen who are actually making the pongee,Free observation of the work processThe best part is that you can do so for only 300 yen, and if you wish, you can also have the process guided for only 300 yen.
Experience fee: Adults 3,500 yen / Elementary school students and younger 2,500 yen (tax included)
◆Mud dyeing experience (T-shirt dyeing)
Trial fee: 4,000 yen (tax included)
◆Hata-weaving experience
Trial fee 3,500 yen (including tax)
Also, you can visit the exhibition and sale of Oshima Tsumugi silk and affordable souvenirs.
Click here for experience courses held in Yumeori no Sato.
Oshima Tsumugi Village
Oshima Tsumugi Village" is another Oshima Tsumugi tourist garden run by the weaver of Oshima Tsumugi silk. The admission fee of 500 yen is required for this garden.
One of the main features of Oshima Tsumugi Mura is that the facilities are set up on a vast site of about 15,000 tsubo (about 1,000 square meters), and the facilities includeSubtropical Botanical GardenThis is the point that there are
The cultural experience is guaranteed to give you a great sense of the charm of Amami Oshima, even amidst the lush vegetation of bougainvillea, cycads, lizard's hego and other plants that remind you of the tropics.
Trial fee: 4,000 yen (tax not included)
◆Mud Dyeing Experience
Experience fee: 1,200 yen and up (tax not included)
◆Hata-weaving experience
Trial fee 1,000 yen (tax not included)
We invite you to experience Oshima silk while savoring the climate of Amami Oshima and pondering its history.
Access: 16 minutes by car from Amami Airport
Parking: 20 cars
Business hours: 9:00-17:00
Closed: New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
Admission: 500 yen for adults, 200 yen for elementary and junior high school students (free for shopping only)
summary
In this issue, we have provided various information on Oshima tsumugi, the traditional culture of Amami Oshima. We are sure that those who are interested in kimono, as well as others, will be fascinated by the real thing when they see it.
Why don't you include a time to experience Oshima silk in your travel plans to Amami Oshima?
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