Kurume Kasuri Apprenticeship: Standard Course -15 Days
Kurume Kasuri is a traditional dyed textile from southern Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan that dates back to around 1800. On this program, you will spend 15 days at the workshop of Sakata Orimono making one roll of Kurume Kasuri textile (about 12 m) based on one of their designs. You will die the yarn prepared in advance by Sakata Orimono and use it to weave your Kurume Kasuri. Kazuo Sakata, the CEO of Sakata Orimono, will deliver online lectures before and after your stay to provide in-depth learning and discoveries that extend beyond the program period.
- ● Create a Kurume Kasuri textile based on your own design
- ● Experience most of the major steps of the Kurume Kasuri production process
- ● Join online lectures before and after your stay
- ● English-speaking interpreters will help you communicate with the artisans
- ● Receive a certificate upon successful completion of the program
- Kazuo Sakata CEO Sakata Orimono 坂田織物
- Founded in 1948, Sakata Orimono is a Kurume Kasuri weaver with a workshop in the town of Hirokawa in Yame District. In addition to creating traditional garments, CEO Kazuo Sakata works tirelessly to promote Kurume Kasuri. He has launched a private brand called Tsugu, and he also exhibits and sells his works overseas. The company began accepting international residencies in 2020, and they have hosted 5 artists and designers to date.
Kurume Kasuri: One of Japan’s three major kasur
Kasuri is a type of fabric whose signature patterns are created by using pre-dyed yarn for either the warp, the weft, or both directions. This technique, which is said to have originated in India, spread throughout the world and was introduced to mainland Japan from Okinawa. The three major kasuri production centers in Japan were Hiroshima and Okayama (Bingo Kasuri), Ehime (Iyo Kasuri), and Fukuoka (Kurume Kasuri), but Bingo Kasuri producers shifted to using canvas and denim, and Iyo Kasuri producers shifted to making towels. Although there are fewer than 20 workshops left, the only region where there is still a collection of dedicated kasuri weavers is Kurume in the Chikugo region of Fukuoka Prefecture.
Sakata Orimono: In pursuit of various forms of expression
There are two styles of Kurume Kasuri, fabrics produced using the traditional indigo-dyed, hand-woven technique and colorful fabrics produced using chemical dyes and power looms, and each has its own distinct charm. While many weavers only focus on one style, Sakata Orimono, the partner for this program, is a rare case of a weaving workshop that produces both indigo-dyed, hand-woven fabrics and chemically dyed, machine-woven fabrics.
Experience the Essence of Kurume Kasuri
On this condensed program, you will spend 15 days at the workshop of Sakata Orimono making a Kurume Kasuri textile piece based on one of their designs. The most time-consuming process of yarn tying is omitted, with Sakata Orimono preparing the yarn in advance, thus enabling a shorter stay than the full 35-day program. You can experience indigo dyeing and weaving processes in depth as you weave Kurume Kasuri using the yarn you dye yourself. You can also enjoy trying on a Kurume Kasuri yukata.
Experience the traditional culture of the region
What’s more, southern Fukuoka Prefecture, where Sakata Orimono is located, is known for its green tea cultivation and a wide variety of handicrafts including Japanese washi paper, lanterns, lacquerware, bamboo crafts, and woodworking. On your free days, you can visit green tea plantations or take an optional tour to visit other kinds of textile workshops.
Orige: A well-kept guest house equipped with a kitchen
During the program, you will stay at Orige, a guest house that is about a 6 to 7-minute bicycle ride from Sakata Orimono. Orige is a long-stay accommodation facility with single bedrooms, a spacious shared kitchen, and a washing machine. The clean, bright atmosphere is popular with many guests. Rental bicycles are available for commuting between Orige and Sakata Orimono. A nearby supermarket and restaurants are also within cycling distance.
| Tour Code | GFHK09 |
|---|---|
| Dates | Year-round
|
| Duration | 15 Days |
| Departure Point / Return Point | Guesthouse Orige |
| Schedule | [Pre-Arrival Online Lecture]
[Stay at Sakata Orimono] (15 days) – Accommodation: All nights will be at Guesthouse Orige. – Special Activities: Visit the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival on July 15th.
[Post-Return Online Lecture] *Please note that the schedule is a guideline and may change depending on circumstances. |
| Workshop for Your Stay |
|
| Price | ¥487,000（tax included） |
| Included in the Price | Tuition fees, material costs, accommodation fees, interpreter fees (limited to those related to the program), bicycle rental fees (assuming transportation between the accommodation and Sakata Orimono by bicycle), expenses related to the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival visit, and expenses for the kimono dressing experience. |
| Not Included in the Price | Travel expenses, transportation costs, meals, shipping fees for international delivery, travel insurance, and any other items not listed above. Optional Add-On: A craft tour to visit other Kurume Kasuri weavers or nearby workshops for Yame lanterns, Yame washi paper, wooden barrels, incense, and more (additional fees apply). |
| Language | Japanese/English |
| Minimum Participants | 2 *If you wish to participate alone, the cost will be ¥683,000 per person. |
| Maximum Participants | 3 |
| Reservation Deadline | Two months before the event |
| Number of Meals | Breakfast: 0 times, Lunch: 0 times, Dinner: 0 times |
| Number of Nights | 14 nights |
| Accommodation | Guesthouse Orige |
| Mode of Transportation | We provide bicycles (cross bikes) as a means of transportation between the accommodation and Sakata Orimono. The bicycles can be used throughout your stay for traveling between the accommodation and Sakata Orimono. If you prefer a different mode of transportation, please let us know in advance. |
| Tour Escort | None |
| Payment Method | Payment via the application form: pre-authorized card payment (VISA, MasterCard, Amex, JCB), bank transfer, or TransferWise. |
| Notes |
|
| Cancellation Policy | The customer may cancel the tour contract by paying the cancellation fee outlined below to the Company. The date of cancellation of the tour contract is based on when the customer submits a cancellation request during the Company’s days and hours of operation. Any requests made outside of these times will be considered as having been submitted on the next business day.
Timing of Cancellation and Cancellation Fee From the day before the start of the tour (online lecture)
|
Travel Planning: Implementation
- UNA Laboratories Inc. (Fukuoka Prefectural Governor Registration #2-951)
- 3-12-22-302 Yakuin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka-shi, Fukuoka Prefecture 810-0022
- TEL: 092-982-7956E-MAIL: tour@unalabs.jp
- Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors:
Aya Tamura, Noriko Yahata, Rei Watanabe - Business Hours:
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (Closed Saturdays, Sundays, and Holidays) - *Requests received outside of business hours will be processed the following business day.
- *Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors are responsible for transactions held at the sales office that processes customers’ travel. Please do not hesitate to contact the aforementioned Domestic Certified Travel Supervisors with any questions or concerns regarding the travel contract.
Tour Information
- Available Dates
- Year-round
- Duration
- 15 days
- Recommended Age
- 18 years old and above
- Price
- 487,000yen (tax included)