Nambu Sakiori
南部裂織
南部裂織
The image is retrieved from: https://www.marugotoaomori.jp/blog/2016/08/616.html
Nambu Sakiori is a type of woven textile made by tearing old cloth into strips (裂く), setting hemp threads as the warp (vertical threads), and weaving (織る) the torn cloth as the weft (horizontal threads). It was traditionally used for items such as nightwear and sashes.
Kotatsu cover made by Nambu Sakiori. https://sakiori.jp/kotatsugake/
In the Tohoku area, it was not easy to produce cotton on their own, which has been used all over the world and has heat retention, due to its severe cold weather. People in the Nambu area treasured it since cotton traveled a long distance from Osaka and its amount was limited, and Sakiori evolved as a result. During the agricultural off-season, women produced sashes made with Sakiori with a ground loom. This business was the main source of income for the women.
In 1948, however, the cannabis control law was enforced, whereby hemp fabric could not be woven. The prohibition led to a decline in Sakiori along with weaving. It is said that kotatsu covers in the Nambu area became the last practical items made by a ground loom in Japan.
Nambu Sakiori is woven like this.
Sakiori’s characteristics are the ability of heat retention, durability, colourful patterns, and intricate weaving.
Since Sakiori is a craftsmanship born from the spirit of mottainai, in that it is a recycling, it has recently gathered public attention because of its sustainability. Sakiori adapts to a modern lifestyle by being used as couch covers, bed covers, and so on.
Sakiori is preserved mainly by the Society for Preserving Nanbu Sakiori in Towada, Aomori. They hold experience sessions open to everyone, in which participants can make a Sakiori by using cotton clothes they do not wear anymore for strips. What participants can make is a wide range: a table centerpiece, a coin purse, a tote, a musette, and so on.
The Society for Preserving Nambu Sakiori offers its products on Muji online as well. By collaborating with a brand that is popular among a wide range of generations, Sakiori would be recognized more widely, and the rising attention would lead to the preservation of the craftsmanship.
Sakiori is also made in Heita-bou in Kitakami, Iwate, as a product and a return gift of the hometown tax donation program named Furusato Choice. Sakiori products, such as coasters, pencil cases, and pouches, are available in this shop. The part of the donation goes to the manufacturers of the gifts and also to the governments of municipalities. Therefore, Sakiori made by Heita-bou brings about the upholding of the tradition.
南部裂織保存会 匠工房「南部裂織の里」(The Society for Preserving Nambu Sakiori. Craftsman Workshop "Nambu Sakiori no Sato")
平太房 (Heita-bou)
If you would like to know more about Nambu Sakiori, please refer to the YouTube videos below.
You can learn the way how Nambu Sakiori is made by artisans' hands.
手仕事の温もりをいつまでも 南部裂織保存会(青森県十和田市)
(Preserving the warmth of handicrafts for generations to come: Nanbu Saki-ori Preservation Society (Towada City, Aomori Prefecture)) (Japanese only)
東北STANDARD -東北の工芸- 【青森県】南部裂織 八戸南部裂織工房「澄」
(Tohoku STANDARD -Crafts of Tohoku- [Aomori Prefecture] Nambu Sakiori Hachinohe Nambu Sakiori Workshop “Chou”) (Japanese only)
Even if you are not able to go to the workshops, you can make Sakiori at home with pieces of cardboard instead of a ground loom.
If you would like to try, please refer to this YouTube video.
While this tradition was born from the wisdom of people in the past to bear harsh winters, its sustainable nature resonates with today's value of cherishing limited resources. Even if it is difficult to visit the places I introduced above to experience weaving Nambu Sakiori, technological development now makes it easy to learn and try it on your own. Tradition can be preserved not only by visiting its birthplace and having an experience, but also by keeping the spirit of those who came before us in your heart.
and trip. (2022). "The BIG Nambu Sakiori Project": Connecting People. https://www.andtrip.jp/article/003537.html
Aomori Prefectural Government. (2015). Nambu Sakiori: Beauty born from negativity. https://www.marugotoaomori.jp/blog/2015/03/4274.html
Aomori Prefectural Government. (2016). Nambu Sakiori: Traditional crafts born from the concept of “mottainai”. https://www.marugotoaomori.jp/blog/2016/08/616.html
diy sakiori. (2021). DIY sakiori weaving at home. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/xTUCmvULVk8?feature=shared
Furusato Choice Kitakami City Heita-bou. (n.d.) https://www.furusato-tax.jp/city/companies/03206/23477?srsltid=AfmBOoo9MLFQJ6k2aL8dXpuZmfSbjyrB-bFmCZKICiJQ3M3JvrgP0wQI
Hachinohe regional cooperation in the core city area. (2023). Nambu Sakiori: Traditional crafts born from the concept of “mottainai”. https://hachinohe-toshiken-iju.com/news/nanbusakiori/
Iwate Prefecture Cultural Promotion Division, Cultural Sports Section, Cultural Arts Officer. (2019) Glossary of Iwate's Cultural Information: Nambu Sakiori. http://www.bunka.pref.iwate.jp/en/archive/tex1
Kitakami Tourism & Convention Association. (n.d.) Nambu Sakiori. https://kitakami-kanko.jp/location/nanbusaki/
Muji. (2019). Nambu Sakiori, born from the wisdom of ancient women. https://www.muji.com/jp/ja/store/articles/shokoku/14511?
The Society for Preserving Nambu Sakiori. (n.d.) https://sakiori.jp/
srsltid=AfmBOorV_5vPR0I7fDXOR8hb0ZiDyV-HZk-R_q-q40KoFOo4e0RkrI6P
Tsiiki Dukuri TV. (2018). Preserving the warmth of handicrafts for generations to come: Nanbu Saki-ori Preservation Society (Towada City, Aomori Prefecture). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7R_YDN67Cs
Tohoku Standard. (2020). Tohoku STANDARD -Crafts of Tohoku- [Aomori Prefecture] Nambu. Sakiori Hachinohe Nambu Sakiori Workshop “Chou”. [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Uoiwq3_olCM?feature=shared