[The Place Where Fabric Is Born: From the Workshop of Tsuchiya Orimonosho]

Early February. We visited the workshop of Tsuchiya Orimonosho, located in a lush, beautiful spot in Nara City, just north of the Heijo Palace Site, after a short walk up a sloping road from the station. Here, centered around hand-weaving, products are created that bring out the natural expression of fabric and fit into modern lifestyles. In the calm atmosphere of the workshop, we were shown the process of cotton becoming yarn, yarn becoming fabric, and finally becoming a finished product, witnessing firsthand the time and effort invested in creating fabric.

What Tsuchiya Orimonosho treasures most are the “yarn” and “fabric” themselves. They select materials made in Japan as much as possible, spin the yarn within the workshop, and tailor the fabric. Furthermore, they are also involved in cultivating their own fields to produce yarn and fabric from the cotton they grow themselves. Through this steady handiwork—from the field to the yarn and then to the fabric—they deliver daily tools that are truly born from nature. The sound of the loom echoing in the quiet workshop is the sound of the moment yarn takes shape into fabric. It was very impressive to hear that sound, which has been part of people's lives since long ago but has now become distant, echoing in our ears with a pleasant rhythm.

Now, Tsuchiya Orimonosho's Pot Holder, which has long been popular, has been renewed as a “hand-woven” version. Using natural linen yarn, the carefully woven fabric is sewn together on three sides. It is characterized by the firm, distinct texture unique to hand-weaving, making it very useful when you want to quickly grab an iron kettle or a frying pan.

With a supple and gentle texture as if extracted from nature, and the unique feel of hand-weaving, this item blends seamlessly into kitchens and dining tables. It is a piece that allows you to feel the warmth of handiwork every time you use it in your daily life. Why not make it a staple in your kitchen or give it as a special gift?

Tsuchiya Orimonosho's Pot Holder
https://www.shokunin.com/en/tsuchiya/
Showroom Information
https://www.shokunin.com/en/showroom/