5/29, 6/5, 7/3 3-Part Workshop: Learn About 'Clothing' Starting With Silkworms (Attend Consecutively or Single Sessions)

There are many “silk” garments (kimono) and fashion accessories around us. However, it is surprisingly rare to learn how silk is actually made and what the real process is.

Silk is made from the thread spun by silkworms that eat mulberry leaves.

Silkworms have been raised by Japanese people since the days of the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, and throughout a long history they have provided us with silk.

Silk has actually been a very familiar fiber in Japan, but today domestic sericulture farms are on the verge of disappearing. We hear that sericulture was once carried out in Itoshiro as well, and that cloth and wad of silk floss were made for self-sufficient use from waste cocoons and the like, but now only the mulberry trees remain.

We will host a series of workshops to deepen our understanding of silk, one of the main fibers we wear, and to make things using cocoons we have actually raised ourselves.

⚫︎1st session: “About sericulture and how to raise silkworms”

• Date: 5/29 (Fri)
• Time: Meet at 13:30 End at 16:00
• Details: While watching videos, we will explain in detail the changes that silkworms go through. In addition, we will ask Ms. Misako Nakamura, who raises wild silkworms,to show us the rearing situation online and teach us about the differences between domestic silkworms and wild silkworms
  • Each participant will take home around 10 small silkworms and raise them.
  • If you take silkworms home, please make sure there are mulberry leaves available around your home. If you cannot get any leaves, we will raise the silkworms for you instead.
• What to bring: A candy box or similar container for taking silkworms home (a box at least 15 cm square with a lid; a breathable material such as paper is better than plastic)
  
• Participation fee: 10,000 yen (for a single session)

Online instructor:
Ms. Misako Nakamura

She carries out sericulture at home. She also works as an artist, making kimono and other pieces by reeling thread on a hand reel. Her work spans a wide range of crafts, from garment tailoring to knitting, spinning, and indigo and plant-based dyeing.

⚫︎2nd session
“Visit to a multi-silkworm-rearing sericulture hut and a lecture on Gujo tsumugi”

• 6/5 (Fri) Meet at 13:00 End at 17:00
• Meeting place: Around the Gifu Prefecture Gujo General Government Building (details will be given directly to participants)
• Visiting sites: Sericulture hut, Tanizawa (kimono shop)
• Participation fee: 3,500 yen (single session)

Instructor:
Ms. Yuri Kato

She took over sericulture in Gujo Hachiman in 2018. In addition to shipping cocoons to the Gifu Prefecture Silk Association, she also uses them for craftwork such as weaving and cocoon crafts. Through sericulture, she connects people with one another.

⚫︎3rd session
“Reeling raw silk from silkworms (hand reeling) and making wad of silk floss”

• Date and time: 7/3 (Fri) Meet at 12:30 End at 16:00
• Details:We will make square silk floss from the silkworms we have raised. The square silk floss can be placed inside a sleeveless garment during the workshop, or used at home to keep warm. In addition, we will reel thread using a method called hand reeling.
  * The thread will be used for a thread mandala, but those who do not participate in the optional class may take it home as thread.
  
• Instructor: Ms. Misako Nakamura
• Participation fee: 10,000 yen (for a single session)

You may participate in these three workshops either as a series or individually. The participation fee is discounted for those who join the full series.

◼️Participation fee for the full series (3 classes)

22,000 yen
* Lunch for the 3rd session included.

[Optional class * separate date / separate fee]

1. Thread Mandala Workshop

Date: 7/25 (Sat)
Time: Meet at 11:00 End at 15:00
Venue: Itoshiro Yohinten

Using the thread reeled in June, we will create thread mandala works. We will hammer nails into a board and wrap the thread around them. This is a work inspired by Steiner's prime number principles. Reservations open on April 1.

2. Sleeveless garment with wad of silk flossmaking (2 nights, 3 days)

Date and time: 11/7 (Sat) 13:30 Meet -11/9 (Mon) 13:20 End
Venue: Itoshiro Yohinten

We will make a sleeveless garment stuffed with wad of silk floss. You can make it either by machine sewing or hand sewing. This is a popular program that lets you enjoy Itoshiro itself over 2 nights and 3 days. Applications will be accepted from August 1.

◼️Cancellation policy

• Cancellations from after application until 1 week before the event date: 5%
• Cancellations from 6 days to 3 days before the event date: 50%
• Cancellations after that: Full amount