Japan 2019 LongHouse Reserve
Yoshiko has been working with the LongHouse (LHR) over a decade, planning and leading cultural tours in India, China, Mexico and the biennial Japan Tour. The sixth Japan Tour was November, 2019. These programs benefit the LongHouse Reserve and their advocacy of traditional and contemporary arts and crafts.
This autumn in Tokyo, Yoshiko and tour participants saw the treasures of the imperial collection, Nara period, 8th Century, from the Shoso-in. They saw the exhibition at the National Museum. Also, participants immersed themselves in visits to art sites on four islands in the Inland Sea while staying at Benesse House & Museum.
For future LHR tour inquiries email matko@longhouse.org
Japan 2019
The 11th Japan Travel Program was a 3 week long trip through 18 cities led by Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, founder of Slow Fiber Studios. The program began in the Seto Inland Sea, the site of the Setouchi Triennale Art Projects and the Benesse House, designed by esteemed architect Tadao Ando. We experienced Japanese hospitality and cuisine in many different towns at well known family run ryokans.
The travel group immersed themselves in a world of traditional Japanese craft. We visited textile culture heritage centers, such as the last remaining sericulture farms and factories producing Japanese silk, as well as Arimatsu-Narumi, a neighborhood with over 400 years of history practicing traditional shibori dyeing. We visited artisans in their homes and even had the chance to personally learn their technique from workshops.
France 2019
Led by Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, founder of Slow Fiber Studios and producer of the Natural Dye Workshop film series, the 2nd France Program explored Paris and the cultural regions of the Loire Valley and Brittany, inhabited by humans since the Lower Paleolithic Period.
The program focused on some of the most precious textile works in history, including the Apocalypse Tapestry, a 600 year–old naturally dyed masterpiece spanning 140m. Participants gained a deeper understanding of European textile manufacturing, from medieval dyeing processes to the rise of industrial cotton mills and global trade, to Michel Garcia’s insights into modern organic chemistry.
China 2019
Led by Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, the 4th China Program was an immersive journey through Chinese art, contemporary design, regional craft, and remote cultures. Travelers explored internationally influential cities in western China and remote ethnic sites in southwest regions.
Travelers started in the international hub of Shanghai and ventured to provincial surroundings in Chongming. They saw traditional TUBU folk weaving first-hand, spent a 3-day retreat at the JinZe Arts Centre learning heritage art and crafts, and visited Chinese gardens, modern architectural sites, and traditional art in Suzhou. The program was designed to coincide with The China National Silk Museum’s first Biennale of Natural Dyes. This conference hosted presentations, workshops, and exhibitions. Natural dye specialists, scientists, historians, entrepreneurs, artists, designers, and textile enthusiasts came from around the world to investigate the past and future of natural dyes. The final stage of the program was a first-time endeavor visiting Yi, Miao, and Minority Peoples in Sichuan and Yunnan. We connected with remote cultures, preserved felt-making processes, and industrious handcrafts of distinguished ethnic groups living in regions of southwestern China.
India 2019
Led by textile scholar and Slow Fiber Studios founder Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, the 6th India Program focused on local textile craft, inventive traditional and contemporary art, and historic architectural sites by traveling to some of India’s most vibrant cultural centers and natural beauty from Rann of Kutch to Backwater of Kerala to Green Hills of Western Ghats.
We explored the contemporary art exhibitions at the Kochi-Muziris International Biennale; exchanged ideas and broadened our dyeing knowledge at the Natural Dye International Forum in Munnar; visited with collectors, artists, and designers at their private homes and studios; wandered through the collections at key museums and galleries; engaged in hands-on workshops with local artisans; enjoyed local cuisine and overnight stays at traditional inns and historic haveli townhouses.
Japan 2017
Led by Slow Fiber Studios founder Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, this program included visits to key cultural and textile centers including artisan studios in Arimatsu-Narumi, a neighborhood with over 400 years of history practicing traditional Japanese shibori dyeing; some of the last remaining sericulture farms and factories producing Japanese silk; and safflower dyeing museum in the Tōhoku region. Travelers were given the opportunity to visit artist’s homes and studios, unusual museums, gardens, and temples; engage in hands-on workshops with local artisans; and enjoy seasonal Japanese cuisine and unique traditional inns. The Post-Program Extension focused on contemporary art and architecture and featured visits to unique and hard-to-reach art sites as well as stops along the Shōdoshima Island with Buddhist pilgrimage route.
India 2017
With program leader Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, travelers started in northwestern India to explore India’s capitals of New and Old Delhi, and visit designers and artisans’ studios for block printing, Indian shibori, and fine couture. They visited the Maharaja’s palaces, Calico Museum of Textiles, and Gandhi Ashram in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat. Travelers flew down deep in the south on the Malabar coast, explored the backwaters of Kerala, visited the third Kochi-Muziris Art Biennale, and traversed the green mountains of the Western Ghats participating in a natural dye workshop in Munnar and visiting an organic cotton farm and handloom weaving center in Pollachi.
CHINA 2015/ 2016 at Jinze Art Centre, Shanghai
A rare textile program to work with four masters in natural dyeing, shibori and Tibetan tablet weaving ( Dr. Yamazaki, Ms. Yoshiko Wada, Mr. Hiroshi Mursae, Dr. Torimaru ) at the iconic Jin Ze Arts Centre, located in the historical canal town of Jin Ze on the outskirts of Shanghai. The program also included optional one day program to Hangzhou/Suzhou or any other fabric market in Shanghai. See natural dyeing workshop blog.
JAPAN 2015
The 17-day main program included visiting key cultural and textile centres in Nagaoya, Arimatsu, Kyoto, Takasi,Kiryu, Chichibu and Tokyo. The focus of the program was on indigo, shibori and silk, highlighting traditional skills, modern techniques and collaborative innovations. The participants had the opportunity to visit important museums, local gardens and temples as well as appreciate nature, craft and local traditions. The program is designed to coincide with Japan’s annual Shibori Fest in Arimatsu. This enables the participants to get a first-hand feel of the finest shibori Japan has to offer! Included in the itinerary were seminars on sericulture and weaving and optional programs on indigo dyeing and 4-session technical workshop in Arimatsu. The 2015 program also offered an extension – a once-in-a-lifetime contemporary art experience at Benesse House and Museum on Naoshima, Shodoshima, and Teshima Islands in the Inland Sea!
INDIA 2015
The essence of SFS 2015 India program is captured in this excerpt from WSN Member Carol Bier’s Notes From India. Carol was a participant in the program.
CHINA 2014
In conjunction with the 9th International Shibori Symposium at China National Silk Museum. http://9iss.wordpress.com/
Pre-Conference Workshop Tour to Shanghai, Nantong and Suzhou. Post Tours to nearby places in Haining and Wenzhou. 10-13 day tour to the “Silk Road,” explored Xinjiang (Urumuqi, Hotan, Kashgar, Turfan), Xi’an(Shaanxi Province), and Dunhuang (Gansu Province).
JAPAN 2014
Article by Barbara Shapiro. Above photos by Eileen Ekinaka (click on link):
FRANCE 2013
A trip through the south of France to various cities; Nimes-Tarascone-Fontaine deVaucluse-Lacoste-Apt-Lourmain-Roussillon-Lauris. Participants had the opportunity to learn about sustainable natural dye and pigment from Michel Garcia at his atelier, and observe the filming of Natural Dye Workshop 3: Colors of Europe. This workshop focused on organic lake pigment, dye extract, paint, and ink using sustainable methods. After the workshop in Lauris, attendants participated in the Forum International de la Couleur Végétale(International forum for Natural Dyes).At the forum, travelers attended workshops(where they learned about purple murex!), lectures and viewed natural dye goods at the artisan market. SFS also participated in an exhibition, Seeds of Color in the Flow of Time (Le temps s’égraine) where participants could exhibit their own work. See our Flickr for more photos!
INDIA 2012
Delhi, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Ahmedabad with extension to Kumoan Himalayas. Special opportunity to travel throughout India with Yoshiko, who has been exploring this country for over 30 years. Yoshiko will introduce her friends in India who are involved in welfare, community empowerment, and cultural sustainability projects. Program highlights: natural dyes, organic cotton cultivation, handloom weaving, khadi, biodynamic farming, architecture, local food and religion, contemporary art and design educational institutions, museums, solar energy development, hand spinning and weaving wild silks and Tibetan wool in Himalayan communities.
OAXACA, MEXICO 2012
[BY INVITATION] Natural dye film / workshop program on location with botanist-chemist Michel Garcia of France at the beautiful ecological arts center (restored former textile factory) Centro de las Artes San Agustin (CaSa). With private programs of the ethnobotanical garden of Oaxaca and Museo Textil de Oaxaca, visits to local cochineal farm, weaving villages, nearby Zapoteca ruins, and village markets.
ARIMATSU, JAPAN 2011-2013
The timing of this program is designed to coincide with Japan’s annual Shibori Fest in Arimatsu. This Arimatsu program will be offered annually around May/June.Focus: Surface design intensive: silk, steel, shibori, kimono, kakishibu, katazome. Traditional skills, modern techniques, collaborative innovations.
WSN Memeber ellen Katz did a wonderful job of posting on her blog about a trip to a Shoyeido Incense Workshop. You can read more and take a look at pictures here.
INDIA 2011
[BY INVITATION] Special opportunity by invitation to travel through India with Yoshiko. She has been traveling throughout this country for over 30 years including living in Ahmedabad in 1983/84 on a Education & Culture Fellowship and frequent subsequent 3-month residencies continuing throughout the last 3 decades. PROGRAM FOCUS: natural dye and paper making with Mr. Shio, master artisan of Japanese paper making. Other highlights: organic cotton cultivation, handloom weaving, khadi, natural dyeing, biodynamic farming, architecture, culture, and more.
PROVENCE, FRANCE 2011
[BY INVITATION] Focus: 12 Half-day Classes on Natural Dyeing with Michel Garcia; video documentation with Studio Galli Productions for upcoming DVD. Optional trip extension to visit Provence. About Michel. Founder of the association Couleur Garance (1998) and of the Botanical Garden of Dye Plants (2002) in Lauris. A French national born in Morocco, Michel Garcia established the Couleur Garance to connect ecologically sensitive artisans with the expertise of an older generation of dyers. In 2002 Michel founded the Botanical Garden of Dye Plants at the Château de Lauris, which would later grow to add an international forum and market for natural dyes and a resource centre. In 2006 Michel handed over leadership of Couleur Garance so that he could further pursue his interest in colour and dye techniques. He has published three books on natural dyes showing the range of shades available and how to obtain them. Michel is a botanist, chemist, natural dye specialist and philosopher.
PUGLIA, ITALY 2010
Held on the beautiful grounds of Masseria della Zingara, hosted property of Jan King of Twisted Thread UK. Offering two 1-week courses: (A) JUNE 15-19 and (B) JUNE 22-26. Immerse yourself in workshops taught by Michel Garcia of Lauris, France, who will share his expertise on natural dyeing and Provencal block printing, and with Yoshiko Iwamoto Wada, who will explore shibori and Japanese rice paste resist stencil dyeing. Focus will be low impact, sustainable surface design practice.
INDIA 2010
A rare opportunity to travel with Yoshiko in a small group to India. Focus is on organic cotton cultivation, handloom weaving, khadi, natural dyeing, biodynamic farming, and on. Yoshiko lived in Ahmedabad in 1983/84 under the Indo-US Subcommission for Education & Culture Fellowship. She was affiliated with the National Institute of Design (NID) and established a wonderful friendship with numerous fine, talented people. Subsequently, over a span of 9 years, Yoshiko went back to India for 1 to 3 months at a time and traveled extensively throughout the country. Over the past decades, she has made annual trips back to India for various projects — ongoing consultancy assignments primarily for Christina Kim of dosa inc. and Aranya Naturals; to co-chair the 2nd International Shibori Symposium held at NID; and for Sri Yantra, a post-earthquake seminar with involvement by Jack Lenor Larsen, Christina Kim, and Marian Clayden.
JAPAN 2009
Tight, 10-day program visiting people & places of great textile and cultural interest as we travel through Kiryu, Kyoto, and Tokyo. An invaluable introduction to the country and culture as seen from Yoshiko’s eyes and a chance to meet her colleagues. Focus: Jacquard, dobby and other computer aided techniques including weaving, knitting, lace, silk-reeling, back strap weaving, finishing, and etc. in Kiryu. The Festival of Ages (Jidia Matsuri) in ancient capital and indigo natural dyeing in rural village as well as a day visit to shibori center in Arimatsu. Cultural sightseeing with textile interests in the forefront.