01‏/05‏/2013

Nishijin Textile Center Kyoto

A Story of Survival and Renewal

By Bonson Lam

Community writer

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Meiji Period Kimono Patternbook from 1896

Kimonos remain relevant to contemporary fashion at Nishijin Textile Center is in a non descript building north west of Kyoto

Old Shop at the Nishijin Textile Center about 30 mins north west of Kyoto

Old Shop Display at the Nishijin Textile Center about 30 mins north west of Kyoto

Treasured Looms at the Nishijin Textile Center about 30 mins north west of Kyoto

Nishijin Textile Center is in a non descript building north west of Kyoto

A few years ago I bought an antique kimono chest, or tansu from Kyoto. It was over a hundred years old, worn with age, but an heirloom of exquisite beauty. It made me wonder about the kimonos that the original owner had stored in the tansu. At the Nishijin Textile Center, there are kimono pattern books from the Meiji period in the late 19th century, showing the symbols of the four seasons, with cherry blossoms and maple leaves in autumn set inside a classical snowflake frame, and a background of summer waves. I didn’t know that Nishijin, together with Milan and Lyon, are the top three centers in the world for silk fabrics.