Nishijin-gasuri, Kasai Ikuko

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. In its heyday in the 1930s there were about 300 specialist making Nishijin-gasuri. Now there are only seven. With only one of them aged below 50, and the remaining six quite elderly, the lack of younger artisans to continue the tradition is a concern. Efforts are now focused on new ideas that will enable us not only to protect the tradition, but to broaden the use of Nishijin-gasuri fabric into the future.