You can’t walk around Japan without seeing the beautiful noren hanging in the doorways of shops and restaurants, but what if you wanted a unique one to take home as a souvenir? The ability to custom order a noren combined with a friendly owner who can communicate fairly well in English makes Bengara the place…
Tag: fabric
Silk Moth
The late summer sees the emergence of the adult silk moth, a behemoth that can reach a wingspan of nearly 15cm (6 inches). Though the moth itself is a beautiful creature (if beauty is in the eye of the beholder), it is the child form of the moth, the silkworm, that is valued to the…
Nippori Fabric Town
For those with crafty leanings, Nippori Fabric Town is a neighborhood of northern Tokyo populated by over 100 shops selling all sorts of fabrics, ribbons and buttons and as well as over a dozen shops specializing in leather. Fabrics ranging from simple cotton to silk, from plain and printless to elaborate Japanese traditional designs are…
染の小道 Fabric Dyeing Festival
At the annual Nakai Fabric Dyeing Festival, there are many events showcasing the skills of the areas artisans. In a few locations around the neighborhood, there are temporary galleries of the work of some of the areas best dyers and designers. The Bunka Fashion University holds a kimono fashion show where many of the garments…
のれん Noren
The Some No Komichi, or Fabric Dyeing Festival is held annually in the neighborhood of Nakai, just north of Shinjuku. Nakai’s history dates back centuries when it was the center for production of cloth used to make kimono and other traditional Japanese crafts. During the festival (the last weekend in February or first in March),…
365 JAPAN 