Kawashima
in 1987 I spent 6 months at Kawashima Textile School
living in residence, studying kasuri/ikat
threading silk at 80 epi – in the heat
to weave weft kasuri
but before that there were days of resist tying and then dyeing
I spun the weft from cocoons which had a hole cut to let the moth escape
back home I made it into a hanten style jacket
so what does this have to do with anything?
I visited Kawashima for the first time since 1987
still the same – but
new equipment, better lighting and a fresh coat of paint
still using Le Clerc looms – see the logo on the loom?
these impressive bobbin winders are new
the Japanese equivalent of a warping board – now
they are made to warp from itomaki (square bobbins)
classmates back then…
I had one built when I came home but don’t have the space for it now
the electric bobbin winding machine – then
but it is still there in the same place
and “my’ loom is still there but the traditional Japanese looms didn’t seem to be in use
we were given the grand tour by the Principal and the one teacher still there from 1987
they had even found my class picture and had it on display
arigato gozaimashita to Kawashima and principal Masada-san
for a wonderful, surprising welcome
wow, great memories!
Kawashima also has a museum, sorry no pictures
it features the company and the factory, is worth a visit and is free
www.onesmallstitch.Wordpress.com u 
Going back to a fondly-remembered place like this can be scary! I’m so glad that it was still special and wonderful.
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Kerry – I missed my nursing class reunion while I was in Japan – happy to have a good excuse, not a fan of going back in time but Kawashima was short and fun.
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What a wonderful experience that must have been! You were probably about my age…The equipment looks like fun. A neighbor from my old home says her daughter (age 12) is really into weaving, so there is hope!
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Kristin – approx. 8 of my beginning students have become very good, weave all the time and are taking workshops so yes there is hope and I have done my little part.
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What a lovely visit you had! How sweet they managed to locate a class photo to welcome you. It would be wonderful to have such a school here in western Canada but sadly textiles don’t get the same reverence that they do in Japan. At least my guild has recently been sponsoring some popular weaving classes and loaning equipment for them. Gotta start somewhere, eh?
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Louisa – textiles are still respected in Japan but I don’t know about the younger generations. I’ve just started teaching two beginners and always feel hopeful.
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Wow, what a great trip down memory lane. So nice to return to a place and see some things are still the same.
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Heather – it was a great look back. The sleepy, rice growing village had totally been swallowed by family residences, no countryside/land anymore and the school had been painted pink! I was surprised at the welcome.
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