Anastasia Macdonald
Tue, Feb 1 2011 01:55
| Kyoto, International Students Course, Student Voice
| Permalink
Weaving in Japan was a learning feat which I would have been sorry to have not undertaken. The technical knowledge alone is something that will vastly improve my weaving, dyeing, and design planning. Not to even touch on the tools and equipment which make even the most difficult task easier, and more precise.
Kasuri weaving was a labor-intensive technique which results in an endless amount of pattern creation. Learning this skill one-on-one with a knowledgeable teacher is an experience not to be passed up. There are nuances to this craft which would have been frustrating to learn from a book; so having the teacher present to guide one through was invaluable. I feel this technique is one which I can use in my own work and is easily adaptable to one's own style.
Staying in the dorms, eating home-style Japanese cooking, and getting along with fellow students has been a fun and funny experience for me. I will miss the hot bath of the onsen, the cafeteria ladies' delicious food, and all of the yummy treats my fellow students shared with me. I never felt that my lack of understanding the Japanese language was a detriment to my experience here; actually, at times it was something to be gotten much hilarity from!
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| at the Kawashima Textile Museum |
As for the world outside Kawashima, oh, what fun!
There is so much textural history in Kyoto, from the beautiful shifuku of the tea ceremony, to the incredible kumihimo which adorns the kimono, it would seem that there are textiles in every part of the Japanese life. Traditional textiles are not the only type to be found here, the modern textiles of such designers as Mina Perhonen and Sou-Sou neither disappoint nor are lacking in panache.
One of the things I noticed as I was shopping was the creative displays and incredible attention paid to the packaging; things which have been an inspiration to me, from a business point of view.
Not to be forgotten, the food was delicious! Hot giant bowls of ramen, bittersweet cones of matcha soft serve, mochi wrapped anko, revolving sushi, and the many tasty treats to be found in the basements of Takashimaya and Daimaru. Oishii! I only wish that I could fit it all in my suitcase.
Places I found of interest:
Shijo-dori area:
mina perhonen
basement level of takashimaya; pan (bread)
6th floor of Takashimaya; wooden bento, shifuku
basement level of Daimaru; tea sweets, honey
basement level of Fujii-Daimaru; organic produce
Nomura-Tailor, floors 1-3; many varieties of fabric, pinbacks, sewing notions
lisn; modern natural japanese incense
Teramachi-dori:
Itoh Kumihimoten; just gorgeous silk kumihimo
sou-sou; really awesome tabi shoes
Gallery Kei; amazing unique textiles form japan's past, ramie, banana fiber, shifu
Ippodo; matcha tea, ocha tea, tea tasting and brewing demonstration
Kamiji Kakimoto; washi store
Kyoto Station:
Malebranche; delicious matcha and white chocolate cookies, matcha icecream
kitayama station:
La Droguerie; buttons, ribbon, liberty tana lawn, sequins
Kamigamo; 4th sunday of the month
Shijo-dori to Oike-dori, between Karasuma-dori and Kawaramachi-dori:
lin-net; linen fabric, linen clothes, linen bias tape, linen thread
avril; like habu textiles? you'll love avril.
Kyoto Design House
Ippudo; yummy fresh ramen, i ate here three times
konnamonjya (in Nishiki Market); tofu doughnuts
shrines/ temples/nature:
Saihoji (also known as Kokedera (moss temple))
Uji
Fushimi Inari Taisha
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Anastasia studied in the Beginners Course and Foundation Kasuri Course of Fall 2010.
To read more about her studies and adventures in Japan, visit her blog, birds in chandeliers.
Aoi Matsuri (by Kana Suda)
The first years of the full-time program at KTS visited the Gosho (the Kyoto Imperial Palace) to observe the Aoi Matsuri (“hollyhock” festival) procession, which was held on Saturday, May 15th.
Aoi Matsuri is one of Kyoto’s 3 major festivals, along with Gion Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri. It is also the oldest existing festival in Kyoto, and is held annually on the 15th of May.
With much thanks to Mr. Tara’s advice, we arrived at the Sakaimachi Gates an hour prior to the start of the parade, and were fortunately able to stand in the front row of the observation area. The procession lasted for approximately an hour, during which countless men, women, and children gracefully glided past us, in their delicate, classic Kimonos. The designs of the kimonos replicated that of which were worn by nobilities during the Heian Period, and looked quite different from what we are accustomed to today. Unlike what most people would expect from a “festival”, the Aoi Matsuri procession was carried out in a very quiet and noble atmosphere (except for the voices of the hundreds of excited spectators and policemen). Even the horses and oxes were beautifully “dressed” with ornamental head pieces and colorfully woven ropes, and made me really feel the sensitive nature of the Japanese culture.
After the last of the parade had left the gates of the palace, Mr. Tara took us to a very nice steakhouse for lunch, and going along with his recommendation, I ordered Hayashi-rice (onions and beef cooked in demi-gras sauce and poured over rice) – it was delicious! Class was dismissed after lunch, but the majority of us decided to go visit the various exhibitions and galleries scattered around Kyoto City. Mr. Tara was kind enough to join us for the whole day, and he shared his insights with us regarding the culture of Kyoto (he also gave us a quick tour of some of his favorite bars and restaurants as we passed by them on our way to the galleries!!). An exchange student from Korea was also able to join us, and as we usually don’t get to talk to her during school, this was a wonderful opportunity to get to know her.
So, I have blabbered on for some length, but what I really want to say is that we had a great time getting in touch with the beautiful culture and art of Kyoto, and Mr. Tara, we very much enjoyed your company. Thank you!
For those of you who want to know more about Aoi Matsuri, here are a few links:
Kyoto Prefectural Government, Division of Tourism
Japan National Tourism Organization
Wikipedia
KABUKI Visit
On 4th Dec. 2008, regular course students visited Kabuki theater "Minami-Za" in Kyoto which is one the most famous Kabuki theaters in Japan.
"Minami-Za" organises the most marvelous plays in Dec. every year to show main Kabuki actors who will play at the "Minami-Za" next year. Kabuki fans look forward to this season.
Most of the regular course students see Kabuki for the first time. They enjoyed the play, costumes and atmosphere very much.
You can see plates with names of kabuki actors in the first photo above (written in Kanji characters by calligraphy). These plates are displayed at the entrance of the theater. This style of calligraphy which leaves little space on the plates is unique to Kabuki to express the hope of the organiser that the theater should be full of guests.
Different from other Kabuki theaters, "Minami-Za" reserves special seats for Maiko dancers in Dec. (You can find a Maiko in the middle photo.)
The third photo is to show the stage curtain at the theater which is the work of the Kawashima-Selkon Textile company Ltd. who established the Kawashima Textile School.
Kawashima Textile School plans to organise Kabuki visit in Dec. 2009, too. International students come in Dec. 2009 can join this event if they want.
KTS staff
Kimiko Kawamata
"Minami-Za" organises the most marvelous plays in Dec. every year to show main Kabuki actors who will play at the "Minami-Za" next year. Kabuki fans look forward to this season.
Most of the regular course students see Kabuki for the first time. They enjoyed the play, costumes and atmosphere very much.
You can see plates with names of kabuki actors in the first photo above (written in Kanji characters by calligraphy). These plates are displayed at the entrance of the theater. This style of calligraphy which leaves little space on the plates is unique to Kabuki to express the hope of the organiser that the theater should be full of guests.
Different from other Kabuki theaters, "Minami-Za" reserves special seats for Maiko dancers in Dec. (You can find a Maiko in the middle photo.)
The third photo is to show the stage curtain at the theater which is the work of the Kawashima-Selkon Textile company Ltd. who established the Kawashima Textile School.
Kawashima Textile School plans to organise Kabuki visit in Dec. 2009, too. International students come in Dec. 2009 can join this event if they want.
KTS staff
Kimiko Kawamata
