2025 Gallery Exhibition "BORO of Itoshiro"
In 2025, the Barn Gallery at Itoshiro Yomise will feature an exhibition centered on old clothes preserved in Itoshiro.
From cultivating hemp to spinning thread, weaving fabric, tailoring clothes from the fabric, dyeing them, and after long use, disassembling them. These are the "BORO" items that served their purpose until they were worn to tatters.
Some of these items were even patched and repurposed further. Although not many remain, a selection of them will be displayed.
This special exhibition was inspired by Chuzaburo Tanaka, a collector of folk artifacts from Aomori Prefecture. His perspective on "objects" and his deep love for the lives of people in the cold Aomori region captured my heart. I will interpret Itoshiro's BORO in my own way, inspired by the ideas of the esteemed Mr. Chuzaburo.
In conjunction with the exhibition, we will also hold gallery talks and workshops.
We want to re-experience their craftsmanship, which reflects the spirit of valuing things, such as how people spun hemp into thread and how they patched precious fabrics they had on hand.
This special exhibition/workshop will also feature the out-of-print book "Objects Have Souls" by Chuzaburo Tanaka, available only in-store with an experience. (You can learn more about Chuzaburo Tanaka on the Itoshiro Yomise YouTube Channel in "My Beloved Hidden Greats")
Special Exhibition "BORO of Itoshiro"
Exhibition Period: April 26 - October 31 *May extend into November depending on weather
Admission: Free
*Admission requires a reservation. Please make a reservation from this page.
*Please reserve for one of the following time slots: 10:30-12:00, 13:00-14:30, or 14:30-16:00.
Workshops / Gallery Talks during the Special Exhibition
May 18 (Sun) WS / Patching Fabric, Peeling Fabric
June 15 (Sun) Gallery Talk / "Objects Have Souls" by Chuzaburo Tanaka
July 20 (Sun) WS / Indigo Dyeing for Life, Living with Indigo
September 21 (Sun) Gallery Talk / "Objects Have Souls" by Chuzaburo Tanaka
October 19 (Sun) WS / Spinning Hemp, Making Amulets
*WS is from 13:30-16:00, Gallery Talk is from 13:30-15:00
Please apply for workshops and gallery talks from the following page.