Kyoto fabrics

Robyn and I met Margaret and Karen at the hotel restaurant for breakfast. Back to the room for a bit of organisation then onto the bus by 9am to go to the Nishijin Textile Centre.

Our first activity was to weave a small placemat on a loom. Then to the shop before watching the kimono show. Luckily we had time to return to the shop where I bought some samples of jacquard fabrics made in Kyoto.

 

Our next stop was to the Daimaru department store food hall to buy our own takeaway lunch to eat at Nijo Castle. Wendy and I chose prawn sushi roll and fresh mango juice.

Off to Nijo Castle where, after our picnic lunch and removing our shoes we were able to have a tour of the castle and its nightingale floor. Of course we were again stopped by school children who wanted to practise their English.

As we were leaving the castle we came across a number of women in the garden dressed in kimonos. They had been attending a function. They even allowed us to take their photo. The wisteria in the garden was just as you see in Japanese art, with elegantly weeping leaves, unlike ours at home that seem to reach out everywhere.

From Nijo Castle we headed to the Yudon Fabric Dying Centre and Museum where we printed a handkerchief in a traditional design using a series of stencils. Once we were all finished and a little disappointed with our efforts the staff came around and did the last stencil of 'magic' white lines typical of the Kyoto area. Suddenly our prints came to life and were beautiful instead of very amateur.

Back to the hotel for our formal 'welcome' by Lynn and Deb and our personal introductions to the group. Robyn, Lynn, Deb and I then headed to Harves to buy takeaway dinner and some wine. We took it all back to our room (it was the biggest) and shared our meal with much chatting.

After dinner Robyn and I packed our bags ready to leave Kyoto tomorrow.