An Overview of Japanese Textiles

Explore of one of the world’s oldest and most diverse traditions of master craft textiles in this presentation by Steve Beimel from JapanCraft21! On June 24th, 2025, the Japan Society of Northern California, in collaboration with JapanCraft21 hosted an event about Japanese textiles. Textiles have existed in Japan long before recorded history, including those made from wisteria, banana leaf fiber, elm, alder, ramie, hemp, and kudzu, and later on from silk, cotton, and ramie. Beyond the rich history of textiles from the 7th century to present, the presentation also covered the practice of dyeing and decorating textiles — sakizome, textiles made from pre-dyed yarn, and atozome, textiles dyed or decorated on woven white cloth and, so much more! Introduction - 00:00 Opening Remarks - 00:26 Japanese Textile Presentation - 02:13 Pre-weave Dyeing (sakizome) - 06:40 Pre-weave Dyeing | Cotton - 12:23 Pre-weave Dyeing | Indigo - 18:12 Pre-weave Dyeing | Kasuri (Ikat) Cotton dyeing - 20:00 Pre-weave Dyeing | Silk - 23:36 Pre-weave Dyeing | Tsumugi (pongee) silk - 24:38 Pre-weave Dyeing | Kyoto Nishijin District - 30:54 Post-weave Dyeing (atozome) - 32:57 Post-weave Dyeing | Silk - 34:37 Post-weave Dyeing | Shibori - 39:59 Post-weave Dyeing | Yuzen - 41:41 Moderated Discussion - 42:32 Audience Q&A - 52:49 Closing Remarks - 1:02:52