The Weavers

• Seiya KOIKE

  Seiya KOIKE

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  I get all my missing parts made at the local ironworks workshop. I guess an issue that will arise for us as we move forward is how we maintain our looms and equipment. That’s a challenge for us, but overall, I totally recommend this line of work.

  Seiya KOIKE

  KOIKE TEXTILES

  I’m the 4th generation of Koike weavers. I spent six years at a well-established textile company in Kyoto City, before I decided to bring back what I learned to Yosano to explore new possibilities.

• Nobuhiko HAGA

  Nobuhiko HAGA

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  I am really keen to talk with young weavers in other production areas to discuss how they are dealing with successor issues and to talk about their looms and local production areas, as well as how we can create opportunities to showcase the works of the next generation of young weavers.

  Nobuhiko HAGA

  HAGA TEXTILES

  I’m a 3rd generation Haga weaver. We produce jacquard silk weaves for products such as kimonos, undergarments for kimono, and dyed obi ties. In 2014, I was certified by the Kyoto Prefectural Government as a Kyoto Certified Craftsman.

• Miho HARADA

  Miho HARADA

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  For textile producing areas, I think there are opportunities in offering small lot orders and made-to-order requests. I wonder how developed other areas are. I think Yosano has a great deal of potential.

  Miho HARADA

  PARANOMAD Director/Designer

  I moved to this town in June 2015 as part of a movement to revive the region. At the same time, I launched my interior textile design business. I participate in one of the community activities at the textile skills training center, and I am undergoing training for everything from business organization development to design techniques.

• Shinichi IMAI

  Shinichi IMAI

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  I bet if we tried we could have buyers all over the world. There’s no limit to what we can do. For warp weave, we can weave with 3 or 4 warp threads, thick or thin… you name it! No matter what the order, if it fits through the reed, we can do it!

  Shinichi IMAI

  Imai Warping Factory

  Imai Warping Factory was established 50 years ago. We started out as a weaving warp factory specializing in white textiles, but with the changing times we now cater to a whole range of bespoke warp weave orders. I hope that through this initiative, we can work together to pass on the craft as well as try out new techniques.

• Masateru WATANABE

  Masateru WATANABE

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  I want to get together over dinner and really talk! I think that building relationships is where it starts. Of course, I hope that everyone will come and visit us here in Yosano and I want to talk about so many things together.

  Masateru WATANABE

  Watamasa Co., Ltd.

  I was born in 1980 as the first-born son of Masatoshi WATANABE, the third generation of Watanabe weavers and Tango chirimen silk weaver. After undergoing training in Kyoto’s Muromachi, I returned to Tango at the age of 26 and began working at Watamasa Co., Ltd. I hope to develop products that leverage our strengths, as well as broaden our sales channels.

• Naoki YURI

  Naoki YURI

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  I get so excited when someone asks for a certain type of woven product. I’ll try anything if I think it will work and if I think it will work, it usually does. This is the type of spirit that will help Tango survive as a production area.

  Naoki YURI

  Yuri Machinery Works

  I’m the 2nd generation for Yuri Machinery. We mainly produce necktie fabric. We carry jacquard silk. We use a whole range of threads as weft and warp threads. I want to further explore the possibilities of textiles.

• Toru TAKAOKA

  Toru TAKAOKA

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  I wonder how recently established machinery workshops in other production areas will continue to grow. I would like to know how others see me and view our production area.

  Toru TAKAOKA

  Takami Machinery Works

  I’m the third generation of craftsman for Takami Machinery Works. I was certified by the Kyoto Prefectural Government as a Kyoto Certified Craftsman. We produce white textiles for creating Japanese-style accessories such as furoshiki wraps, kimono neck-pieces and obi ties.