Heso-age, Nishijin-gasuri

Nishijin-ori is a characteristic Japanese woven fabric, made in Kyoto. There are 12 different types: this one, using pre-dyed yarn, is called “Nishijin-gasuri”. Although textiles woven with pre-dyed yarn (kasuri-ori) are produced all around Japan, Nishijin-gasuri stands out for its colourfully dyed silk yarn.

Once dyeing is complete, threads of the same colour or pattern are bundled up and twisted around one arm to make a ball. The artisan then pulls his or her hand out, leaving a hole in the middle (called heso-age).