On Sunday, September 12, 2021, at 1:00 p.m., the UTLAA instructors’ group led a workshop on making woven cloth (kobukusa) . The instructor was Ms. Seigyoku Kihara of the Kihara’s Arts and Crafts Studio, who has been teaching Japanese handicrafts (including kimekomi dolls, oshie, accessories with mizuhiki) for 50 years and is planning to publish her second book this autumn. Of the 22 participants, 6 went to Ms. Kihara’s classroom, while the others participated online.

The first step in the process of making a woven cloth was to make a paper pattern. Then she explained the basics of sewing including “gushinui’, “kaeshibari”, “sukuidome”, and “tamamusubi”. Finally, we started sewing the old woven cloth. It was supposed to be a simple matter of sewing three sides straight, but it was difficult to make a beautiful square. After a question-and-answer session and waiting for participants who were behind in sewing, we were able to finish the beautiful kobukusa in just one hour as planned.

Ms. Kihara runs a class at her studio in Gardena, which is very convenient, so please feel free to drop by anytime if you have any questions. 　

We hope the day when we can have a tea party with the handmade kobukusa will come soon. CoA. Robinson closed the event with gratitude to Mrs. Kihara and all the participants.