tsumugi silk pongee weaving

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tsumugi 紬 pongee, silk weaving, silk fabric
with a thread of silk spun from the textured floss of leftover silk cocoons.

. orimono 織物 weaving .
- Introduction -

- quote -
Tsumugi (pongee)
is a silk fabric woven from the floss remaining in the silkworm cocoon after the full threads have been removed. By spinning these broken strands together silkworm farmers created a fabric for for their own use. Today tsumugi is highly prized and one of the most expensive kimono fabrics despite its humble origins.
- Characteristics
Tsumugi was originally spun, woven, and sewn into a kimono by one person for the use of her household, so there are many distinct regional variations. However, all tsumugi can be readily identified by its characteristic slubs and sheen. The slubs (rough lines in the weaving) are created by spinning the silk. Initially tsumugi fabric is very stiff, due to the starch applied during spinning, but the more times it is worn and washed, the softer it becomes. Very old tsumugi is as soft as silk fabric woven from untwisted threads.
- Manufacture
Broken threads left inside the silk cocoon are collected by the farmer. These are degummed in a hot water bath with sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and sulfurous acid (a mild bleach). After rinsing, they are hung to dry out of direct sunlight. After drying, the silk floss is placed in a bath of ground sesame seeds and water. The oil from the sesame seeds makes it easier to draw individual threads to be spun.
The floss is handspun.
The spinner uses saliva to adhere the new threads to the old ones. This produces the characteristic sheen and stiffness of tsumugi. After spinning, the thread is dyed and then woven into tsumugi. The most popular patterns include shima, ichimatsu, and kasuri. After weaving, the fabric is steamed to set the dyes and then made into kimono.
- source : immortalgeisha.com/wiki... -


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- ABC - List of pongee from the Prefectures


................................................................................ Ibaraki

Yuuki tsumugi, Yūki-tsumugi 結城紬 Yuki pongee


- quote -
1. Produced
in Yuki City, Ibaraki Prefecture.
2. Characteristics:
The best "Tsumugi" fabrics used for clothing, designated as an "Important Intangible Cultural Property. "The silk fabric which is hand spun from the floss is dyed manually so that splash patterns will come out on the fabric after it is woven. They are hand woven in "Jibata"(a loom with no legs) and the designs are small crosses of splash patterns. Warm, light, tough and free from wrinkles, the fabric does not fade or discolor easily, but increases its luster the more frequently it is washed and stretched. This fabric is of such good quality that it is said that "Yuki Tsumugi" should first be worn as a night wear and then used as a going out wear. It takes 10 to 15 days to weave a plain fabric and 30 to 45 days to weave a small patterned fabric for a piece of cloth required for an adult garment (36 cm width and 840 cm length).
3. Uses:
Clothing.
4. History:
The pongee was well known as "Hitachi Ashiginu" ( a fabric woven with thick and rough silk threads) in the Heian Period and as "Hitachi Tsumugi" in the Kamakura Period.
In 1602 the name was changed to "Yuki Tsumugi" as it became an item for presenting to the Shogun. After that, weavers from Ueda (Nagano Prefecture) were invited, resulting in an improvement of the quality with the technique used in weaving stripes. The production was a side job for farmers in the middle of the Edo Period.
At first, only the plain and striped fabrics were produced, but the striped "Kasuri" was invented in 1866, the splash patterns made of both warp and weft in 1873 and crepe pongee in the early Taisho Period.
The fabric was well known in the old days and quoted in a poem in "Manyoshu"(Ten Thousand Leaves), an anthology of 4,516 poems, compiled in late Nara or early Heian Period, around 800.

筑波ねの　新桑まよの　衣あれど　君がみけしし　あやに着ほしも
I have woven a cloth
With silk threads spun from
New cocoons of Mt. Tsukuba.
Would that it be a pretty costume
Worn by my loved one.

- source : kimono.or.jp/dictionary... -




................................................................................ Ishikawa　石川県

Ushikubi tsumugi 牛首紬 Ushikubi pongee



- quote -
1. Produced in 石川県石川郡白峰村
Shiraminemura Ishikawagun, Ishikawa Prefecture.
2. Characteristics:
Silk fabrics: white pongee and striped pongee, handwoven with home spun threads. Because it is so tough, it can pull out a nail when hooked, the fabric is also called "Kugi Nuki Tsumugi"(nail pulling pongee).
3. Uses:
Clothing, coats, sashes, neckties, pouches, etc.
4. History:
This district started producing silk from olden days because of flourishing sericulture and hand spinning techniques. It is said that the origin of the fabric was in the years after the "Heiji Revolt "(civil war) in 1159. First woven as side jobs for farmers, it was marketable as "Ushikubi Tsumugi" and "Hakusan Tsumugi" in the Genroku Era (1688-1704). It was industrialized in the late Meiji Period and flourished in the late Taisho Peiod. Since the Showa Period, however, production died out and only 2 factories are producing it today.
-source : kimono.or.jp/dictionary...-





................................................................................ Kagoshima 鹿児島県 　

Ooshima tsumugi 大島紬 Amami Oshima pongee


Mostly made in 奄美大島 Amami Oshima Island.
- reference : amamioshimatsumugi.com... -




................................................................................ Nagano 長野県

Shinshu tsumugi 信州紬 Shinshu pongee


- quote -
The origins of Shinshu Tsumugi go back to a silk cloth called あしぎぬ ashiginu that was woven in the Nara period (710-794). Because of the rivalry and encouragement that the clans in the province of Shinshu were given, sericulture was very popular and the production of pongee throughout the province flourished, and every year large quantities of cloth were dispatched to Kyoto.
The production of this cloth then fell into gradual decline by the 1920s, only enough was being made to keep the skills associated with this cloths alive. After World War II, great efforts were made to revive the fortunes of this cloth not only by the prefectural authorities but by local authorities and communities, and production once again flourished throughout the region.
The making of cloth for top quality kimono followed and served to raise people's awareness of this fine cloth. Most of the cloth produced in various colors and patters is for kimono or obi. One extremely special cloth is woven from a silk obtained exclusively from wild silk worms.
- source : kougeihin.jp.e...117 -

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Ueda tsumugi上田紬 Ueda pongee


- quote -
Ueda Tsumugi is a traditional woven silk fabric popular since Edo times.
At studio workshops in Ueda, craftsmen continue the tradition today. There you can see some of the kimonos, mufflers, purses and other articles made from Ueda Tsumugi, as well as see some being made. And for those who want to try weaving an item themselves, you can try your hand at a weaving loom to make your own original Ueda Tsumugi souvenir.
- source : go-nagano.net/shisetsu... -




................................................................................ Niigata　新潟県

Ojiya tsumugi 小千谷紬 Ojiya pongee / 縮 chijimi


- quote -
Pongee was first produced here in the middle of the Edo period (1600-1868), when sericulture began. By the end of the same era, production had increased to such an extent that silk merchants came to do business from places which had their own flourishing weaving industry such as Kyoto and Joshu, the area that now corresponds to present-day Gunma prefecture.
Ojiya Chijimi 縮 techniques were used to produce a pongee suitable for home use woven from silk yarn reeled from leftover cocoons. The existence of this pongee was overshadowed by Ojiya Chijimi but production of a pongee actually started in earnest at the beginning of Showa (1926-1989).
The basis for today's pongee was perfected after a number of improvements were made to the pongee yarn.
Because the yarn used for this pongee cloth is reeled from cocoons, the threads have an interesting unevenness and make a light warm cloth. Various folk-craft designs are used and kimono of this colorful cloth provide plenty of opportunity for elegant dressing. The cloth is now also being used for interior items.
- source : kougeihin.jp.e...113 -

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- quote -
Shiozawa tsumugi 塩沢紬 Shiozawa Pongee
The history of weaving in the Shiozawa area is very long and an example of a linen cloth --now Echigo jofu 越後上布 Echigo linen-- woven during the Nara period (710-794) is preserved in the Shosoin Repository in Nara. The skills and techniques used to weave this linen cloth were adopted for the weaving of a silk cloth that became Shiozawa Tsumugi and was first woven during the Edo period (1600-1868).
This cloth is characterized by a very particular sense of quality and refinement derived from its ikat patterns which are composed of fine crosses called kagasuri 蚊絣 --"mosquito ikat"--and a kikkogasuri 亀甲絣 of box-like pattern, both achieved by tying bundles of thread and rubbing in the dyestuff before weaving. The cloth is used exclusively for kimono.
- source : kougeihin.jp... 111 -



................................................................................ Okinawa 沖縄

. Kumejima tsumugi 久米島紬 Kumejima pongee .






................................................................................ Shiga　滋賀県

amiori tsumugi, ami-ori 網織紬 Amiori pongee
"weaving with fishing nets"



Silk has been used since the mid-Edo period. The strings were used for fishing nets. When the nets broke, they strings were used for weaving cloth.
The material has a delicate, but rough touch.

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Hatasho tsumugi 秦荘紬 Hatasho pongee


made from left-over silk yarn.
A traditional craft of Hikone.




................................................................................ Tokyo　東京都

- quote -
Honba Kihachijo 本場黄八丈　(Hachijojima Silk Fabric)

Traditional Technologies and Techniques
1 - Honba Kihachijo (Hachijojima silk fabric) is both a flat woven and twill woven fabric produced using threads that are dyed prior to weaving.
2 - To drive the weft threads through the weave, a shuttle is used.
3 - Dyeing of threads is carried out by hand. When dyeing is conducted, plant-derived dyes are used. The yellow color is produced from kobunagusa (scientific name: Arthraxon hispidus Mak.). The orange color is produced from a species of laurel (Machilus thunbergii). The black color is produced from a species of beech (Castanopsis cuspidata var. sieboldii). The mordant used is comprised of wood ash and mud.
Traditionally Used Raw Materialst
Pongee thread derived from raw silk, doupion silk and floss silk; or silk thread with similar properties to these classifications.
History and Characteristics
The birthplace of the silk woven fabrics called "Kihachijo," which are known for being dyed using plant-derived materials, is located approximately 300 kilometers south of Tokyo.
On Hachijojima (Hachijo Island), which arises from the surrounding deep blue waters, cute "daughters of the island" offer calls of "welcome" to island visitors as soon as they arrive at New Year or at festival times. All over the island, tropical plants such as palms, hibiscus and other flowers add color throughout the year.
Long ago, the island was known as "the island that not even birds visit," it being a solitary and remote outcrop arising from the sea. It also played host to a harsh natural environment. However, human ingenuity allowed for the discovery of the unique colors of Kihachijo fabrics. By using the natural plant dyes necessary to produce yellows, oranges and blacks, the island's specialty "Honba Kihachijo" silk fabrics were born.
It is said that Kihachijo's uniqueness lies in both its "dyes" and "weave," these qualities being born of the island's environment. The three core colors are yellow, orange and black, all of them being natural dyes derived from plant-based materials native to the island.
"Hachijo Kariyasu" (or kobunagusa) (scientific name: Arthraxon hispidus Mak.) is used to dye yellows.
The bark of a species of laurel called Madami (Machilus thunbergii) is used to dye the browns.
The bark of the "Shiinoki," a species of beech (Castanopsis cuspidata) is used for black colors
along with mud dyeing in a process unique to the island.
Striped fabrics along with checks are woven by hand by combining these three colors together.
One of the features of Kihachijo is that it retains its colors even after many years.
Indeed, the more it is washed the more vivid the colors become.
- - Kihachijo Cooperative Association
- source : shoko/dentokogei/english/hinmoku/3-kihachijo. ... -




................................................................................ Yamagata 山形県

Oitama tsumugi 置賜紬 Oitama pongee
also called
Yonezawa tsumugi 米沢紬 Yonezawa pongee



- quote -
While dating back to the 8th century, the weaving of this cloth did not become firmly established in this area of Yamagata Prefecture until the beginning of the 17th century. This was when 上杉景勝 Uesugi Keisho Kagekatsu, the lord of the fief, encouraged its weaving.
There are a number of individual cloths being produced. There is the traditionally woven 白鷹板締小絣 shirataka itajime kogasuri, an unassuming ikat cloth and another small motif ikat called 米琉板締小絣 yoneryu itajime kogasuri; and a weft ikat and another with ikat threads in both the warp and weft. Safflower is just one of the natural dyes used for a pongee cloth using these dyestuffs. Inevitably, it is the handmade look of these cloths which is now attracting much attention among consumers.
Oitama Tsumugi is actually a generic name for six individual cloths, namely
yoneryu itajime kogasuri, shirataka itajime kogasuri, yokosogasuri, heiyougasuri, kusakizome tsumugi, and benibana tsumugi.
All are yarn dyed and plain woven.
- source : kougeihin.jp.e... -


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. . . CLICK here for Photos !
. Reference - tsumugi pongee.

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. Legends and Tales from Japan　伝説 - Introduction .

................................................................................. Kagoshima 鹿児島県
大島郡 Oshima district

ikiryo 生霊
Ａさんが夕方に紬の着物を着て浜の方へ行っていた。それを見た人が、Ａさんは身重なのにどうしてだろうと訝しんだ。その三日後、Ａさんは出産時に急死した。イキマブリ（生霊）は実際にいるものだ。

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- reference : nichibun yokai database 妖怪データベース -

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- - - - - Haiku and Senryu - - - - -

冬の日や鵜匠の羽織る黒紬
fuyu no hi ya ushoo no haoru kuro-tsumugi

this winter day -
the black pongee coat
of the cormorant fisher

殿村莵絲子 Tonomura Toshiko (1908 - 2000)



. ukai 鵜飼 (うかい) cormorant fishing .

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Hida tsumugi 飛騨紬 Hida pongee
Haiku collection by 前田普羅 Maeda Fura
- text source : national diet library -

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- - - #tsumugi #pongee #silkweaving - - - - -
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Mizuhiki paper strings

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Mizuhiki 水引 ceremonial paper strings paper cord craft. presentation ribbon quote Mizuhiki indicates the material itself as a paper cord, and also indicates the ornament or the work that is made of mizuhiki paper cords. Nowadays, the most opportunity to encounter the mizuhiki ornament is at the reception desk of wedding reception, where the invited guest hands over the shugi-bukuro (money envelope) decorated with Mizuhiki ornament to a receptionist. The custom that binds a gift with colored cords and defines the significance of its shape is a traditional culture of Japan that has been lasting 1400 years, and it is said that its custom had come from China originally. But to have applied WASHI Japanese paper as a material of the Mizuhiki cord and to have defined the complex rules of Mizuhiki ornament to suit to old regulations that Samurai and Aristocratic society of those days obeyed, must be Japanese original ideas, which was able to express an intention of the sender more in detail. (note: Originally,when its custom was imported from China, the cord was made of linnen.) Mizuhiki is made of strong washi paper which is cut into long strips and twisted into strings. Because it is covered with glue made of seaweed and white clay to stiffen it, the Mizuhiki has enough strength and moderate elasticity, that make it possible to make a three-dimensional ornament easily and to maintain its shape for a long time. As mentioned before, because the culture of Mizuhiki which includes the rules of gift giving is one that reflect the social system of old times. Nowadays, it seemed that the frequency of using Mizuhiki as a traditional practice is on the decrease. But, because its physical character is effective even now, the application of mizuhiki paper cords, such as materials of handicraft or the alternative ribbon of gift wrapping, is expanding. ... Traditional Japanese mascots or seasonal flowers, made of mizuhiki are decorated on a Shikishi-board that is square thick Japanese paper. Some Shikishi-board are framed and others are not framed. source : www.mizuhikiart-shop.jp . Presentation Envelopes - Shuugibukuro　祝儀袋 . .............................................................................................................................................. . Edo craftsmen　江戸の職人 . mizuhiki shokunin 水引職人 craftsman making Mizuhiki source : edoichiba.jp.. mizuhiki... :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 - ABC - List of MIZUHIKI from the Prefectures ................................................................................. . . . . . . . . . . Ehime Iyo Mizuhiki 伊予水引 quote Iyo-Mizuhiki Adds a Touch of Elegance to Japanese Ceremonial Manners Mizuhiki, a lovely decoration craft that connects the hearts of the presenter and receiver, has been handed down through the ages as a tradition of elegance and has become deep-rooted in the lifestyle of the Japanese. Approximately 70 percent of all traditional-style of money envelopes with mizuhiki decoration. These traditional envelopes are used to give money as gifts for various occasions such as to congratulate or show condolence, to give on recovery from illness or as a farewell gift and are used as an integral part of daily life in Japan produced in Ehime. This makes Ehime one of the leading producers of mizuhiki along with Iida region in Nagano Prefecture. Apart from being used for decorating money envelopes, mizuhiki is also used in art crafts and deluxe betrothal gifts, and is increasing in quality and variety year by year. source : www.ehime-iinet.or.jp ................................................................................. . . . . . . . . . . Ishikawa mizuhiki saiku 水引き細工 mizuhiki paper string craft Kaga mizuhiki 加賀水引　Gift Wrapping String Kaga mizuhiki uses gold leaf and silver leaf abundantly, and it is knitted skillfully into shapes of pine, bamboo, and plum trees, cranes, or tortoises that are considered as bringers of good luck. Kaga mizuhiki is indispensable to auspicious occasions, such as ceremonial exchanges of betrothal gifts. source : www.kanazawa-tourism.com ................................................................................. . . . . . . . . . . Nagano Iida region 飯田水引 A traditional craft of the regions of Iida and Shimo Ina 下伊那, where strong washi paper has been made since olden times. A traditional craft of the Iida area, Mizuhiki is made from strips of Japanese “washi” paper twisted into strings and stiffened with a seaweed and clay compound. Combined with colored silk, it is typically tied into a decorative knot and attached to gifts in times of congratulations, condolences or weddings, symbolically tying together the hearts of the giver and receiver. Mizuhiki making techniques in Iida have been passed down from generation to generation and the area now produces 70% of all Mizuhiki made in Japan. There are several workshops in Iida where the Mizuhiki-making can be seen. source :　www.go-nagano.net 飯田水引協同組合 source : iidamizuhiki.jp ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: quote 河内祭・御船祭 Kochi Festival - Mifune-matsuri Kouchi Festival takes place at Koza, Kushimoto-cho, Wakayama prefecture on July 24th and 25th each year. It is also known as “Mifune-matsuri”, or Boating Festival, and is held on the banks of the Koza River 古座川. The festival is designated as an important intangible folklore cultural asset by the Japanese government. The festival dates back to the Gempei War in 12th century when the naval forces of Kumano who fought for Genji Clan celebrated their victory at Kouchi Shrine. The festival replicates the triumphal return of the military force. Three boats decorated with vividly colored battle cloth, mizuhiki paper strings, spears, halberds and lanterns enter the river after the opening ceremony at the Koza Shrine and slowly move up to Seisho Island where Kouchi Daimyoujin, the local deity, is enshrined. The boat takes two days to reach the island and therefore all prayers and offerings take place on the 25th. Shishi lion dances are demonstrated in the town and an exciting boat race called “Kaitenma Kyoosoo” is undertaken by junior high school students further enchanting the crowd. source : nippon-kichi.jp :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::　 sushi mizuhiki-mori すし　水引盛り . WASHOKU - Sushi . ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: . . . CLICK here for Photos ! . Japanese Reference . English Reference ................................................................................. Mizuhiki and Daruma Decoration ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Not-related "mizuhiki" Mizuhiki & Uchishiki The Mizuhiki is a rectangular cloth of rich brocade, which covers the front and sides of the altar table. The Uchishiki is a triangular piece of cloth, which hangs over the front of the altar table over the Mizuhiki. The cloth is also of rich brocade using gold and silver thread. . Buddhist Altar Cloth (uchishiki　打敷） . Kihara Fudoson 木原不動尊 Fudo Myo-O from Kihara . Mizuhiki Fudo 水引不動 to bring rain . "to draw water" from the sky ................................................................................. . mizuhiki no hana 水引の花 Antenoron flower . kigo for early autumn ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: musubime 結び目（むすびめ）all kinds of ritual knots and loops source : jomon.ne.jp/~katunari tonbo musubi とんぼ結び / 蜻蛉結び "dragonfly knot" A knot is a method of fastening or securing linear material such as rope by tying or interweaving. - - - More in the WIKIPEDIA ! kobu 瘤（こぶ） / 2端 / 連結用 / 1端 / 0端 - reference : Japanese wikipedia -

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. utabukuro 歌袋 song-pouch, bag to keep poetry .
decorated with a mizuhiki


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Karakuri mechanical dolls INFO

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Karakuri ningyoo からくり人形 mechanical dolls mechanische Puppen quote Karakuri ningyō (からくり人形) are mechanized puppets or automaton from Japan from the 17th century to 19th century. The word karakuri means "mechanisms" or "trick". In Japanese ningyō is written as two separate characters, meaning person and shape. It may be translated as puppet, but also by doll or effigy. The dolls' gestures provided a form of entertainment. Three main types of karakuri exist: Butai karakuri (舞台からくり, stage karakuri) were used in theatre. Zashiki karakuri (座敷からくり, tatami room karakuri) were small and used in homes. Dashi karakuri (山車からくり, festival car karakuri) were used in religious festivals, where the puppets were used to perform reenactments of traditional myths and legends, standing of festival floats (dashi). They influenced the Noh, Kabuki and Bunraku theatre. Zashiki karakuri The most common example today of a zashiki karakuri mechanism is a tea-serving robot, which starts moving forward when a cup of tea is placed on the plate in its hands. It was used in a situation when a host wanted to treat a guest in a recreational way at a tea ceremony. It moves in a straight line for a set distance, moving its feet as if walking, and then bows its head. This signals that the tea is for drinking, and the doll stops when the cup is removed. When it is replaced, the robot raises its head, turns around and returns to where it came from. It is typically powered by a wound spring made of whalebone, and the actions are controlled by a set of cams and levers. source : Wikipedia Mechanisms of a tea serving doll The inner mechanisms of KARAKURI dolls are illustrated in "KARAKURI-ZUI", a machine book of the Edo era. The lower left diagram is a whole view of a tea serving doll in the "KARAKURI-ZUI", and the right diagram is an inner view. The inside of a real doll seems to have been made with a wood, a thread, and a whisker of a whale (materials of a spring). - - - - - The doll does the following movements: 1 - A spring is wound up first, and then a doll is in the state that stands still. 2 - If a master puts a tea cup on the tray which the doll supports, the doll will begin to advance and the legs of the doll begins to move forward and backward. 3 - If the doll comes in front of a visitor, the head of the doll will lean forward, that is, the doll bows. 4 - Then, if a visitor takes up a teacup, the doll will stop, and the leg motion will also stop. 5 - If a visitor drinks up tea and puts the teacup back on the tray again, the doll will rotate 180 degrees. 6 - Then, the doll stands with the head straight. 7 - The doll begins to advance toward the place where the master is, i.e., a starting point. The legs of the doll also move again forward and backward. 8 - If the doll comes back to the master and the master takes away an empty teacup from the tray, the doll will stop moving and the legs also. - source : museum.kyoto-u.ac.jp - .............................................................................................................................................. Tanaka Hisashige 田中久重 (1799 - 1881) Karakuri Gi'emon からくり儀右衛門 Karakuri Giemon Born in Kurume, Kyushu. Later he opened a shop in Edo, 機巧堂(からくりどう Karakurido, and invented all kinds of useful things that people came to ask him for. His "tea-serving doll" had a special stopping mechanism to stop right in front of the customer. His masterpiece, a clock for all times 万年時計, 万年自鳴鐘 Mannen Jimeisho - lit. Ten-Thousand Year Self-ringing Bell - quote - a Japanese rangaku scholar, engineer and inventor during the Bakumatsu and early Meiji period in Japan. In 1875 he founded what became the Toshiba Corporation. He has been called the "Thomas Edison of Japan" or Karakuri Giemon. ..... While in Saga, Tanaka designed and built Japan’s first domestically made steam locomotive and steam warship. ..... After his death in 1881, his son founded Tanaka Engineering Works (田中製造所 Tanaka Seizōsho). The company changed its name after Tanaka’s death to Shibaura Engineering Works (芝浦製造所 Shibaura Seizōsho) in 1904, and after a merger in 1939 with Tokyo Denki became Tokyo Shibaura Denki, more commonly known today as Toshiba. - reference source : wikipedia - :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: chinchin uma guu チンチン馬グヮー small horses . Folk Toys from Okinawa . :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Edo Kakakuri Zuan 江戸からくり図案 . Trick Pictures of the Edo Time . Tokyo :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Food and mechanical dolls soba saru そば猿 monkeys making soba buckwheat noodles From Nagano, Narai Town 奈良井 Narai is an old postal town along the Nakasendo road and these monkeys were favorite souvenirs. Narai-juku on the Nakasendo, Nagano - source : japanvisitor.com - soba kui saru そば喰い猿 monkey eating noodles ....................................................................... kometsukiguruma, kometsuki kuruma 米つき車 / 米搗車 wheels for pounding rice A wooden toy version of the important tool of rice farmers. The wheels turn around moving a mallet 杵. Another version is a simple toy where the child can move the mallet with its hands (te-oshiguruma 手押し車). - - - - - - - - - - Aichi, Toshogu 東照宮 . WASHOKU - toys with food . - - - - - - - - - - Tokushima town　徳島市 source : colle-vill.com/chigo aitsuki okura 藍搗きお蔵 shed to pound Ai indigo A Kura with a white roof above the three mallets, which make the sound katakata カタカタ when the toy is pulled. . Tokushima town 徳島市 and Indigo . - - - - - - - - - - Wakayama town　和歌山市 source : asahi-net.or.jp - gangu komekachiguruma コメカチグルマ in the local dialect. The character for rice (kome　米）is written as decoration. It has three mallets to move. This toy is not made any more in our modern times. .............................................................................................................................................. source : LeRuGallery facebook Koobe ningyoo, Kobe Ningyo 神戸人形 mechanical dolls from Kobe, Kobe Dolls . . . . . man drinking sake . . . . . man cutting a water melon From Hyogo . Washoku - Food and Toys . . . . CLICK here for Kobe Doll Photos ! .............................................................................................................................................. . Kurama karakuri gangu　鞍馬のからくり玩具 mechanical dolls from Kurama . Kyoto :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: namazu osae matsuri 鯰押さえ祭りの catfish subpressing festival . namazu osae 鯰押さえ subpressing a catfish . Gifu, Oogaki, Ogaki town 大垣 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Nagoya karakuri ningyoo　名古屋　からくり人形 from Aichi "Dashi" floats at Arimatsu "Shiranami Gonin Otoko" at Misono Dori Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu at Wakamiya Odori "Muneharu Ranman" Osu Banshoji Temple / Urashima Taro / Nagoya City Sightseeing Information - source : canyou.co.jp/nagoya/karakuri - and as toys for children - Ushiwaka and Benkei 牛若　弁慶 The head of the toys is made from clay, the robes from strong washi paper. These two also appear on the festival float of the Toshogu Shrine. . Ushiwaka Minamoto no Yoshitsune 源の義経 (1159 - 1189) . - Introduction - - quote - Tamaya Shobei and Karakuri Float Parades in Owari ... This was during the period (1730-1739) when Tokugawa Muneharu was in power as the head of the Owari clan. Muneharu's policy of supporting festivals and other spectacles thus fostered the first Tamaya Shobei. Splendid floats were displayed each year in the Tōshōgū Festival during the years of Tokugawa Muneharu's reign. This festival was a source of stimulation for the residents of Owari and led to the creation of Karakuri float parades through the region, spurring competition between the province's craftsmen. During an era in which austerity was enforced in other regions of Japan through Yoshimune's frugality edict, the Owari clan's territory, with Nagoya at its heart, protected the legacy of Takeda Karakuri, Yamamoto Ichiza, and others. Thanks to parade float Karakuri culture, this heritage was preserved for future generations. The vigor of Karakuri parade float culture in Nagoya and the surrounding area has nurtured and sustained the Tamaya Shobei family for nine generations. They are the only Karakuri doll maker household of their kind in Japan. - source : karakuri-tamaya.jp/en - . Tokugawa Muneharu 徳川宗春 (1696 - 1764) . - more Karakuri clocks in his honor ....................................................................... Another mechanical toy from Nagoya is the mawari nezumi　回り鼠 three mice that turn round and round :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Osaka neko to nezumi　大阪　猫と鼠　cat and mouse from Osaka Osaka has produced quite a few humorous dolls. A clay cat is sitting on the wooden box. If you pull the lid of the box, it opens and a clay mouse comes out. If you now push the lid toward the mouse, the mouse hides again in the box. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Otsu Festival Floats During the first day, the karakuri mechanical puppets are removed from the floats and displayed on street level. The karakuri ningyo puppets are a major highlight of the floats and festival. The puppets perform on the floats during the procession. . Ootsu Matsuri 大津祭 Otsu festival,Otsu matsuri . Shiga :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Takayama karakuri ningyoo　高山からくり人形 For the shrine festival floats of Sakurayama Hachimangu October 9, 10 桜山八幡宮, Hachiman Matsuri 八幡祭 The Takayama fall festival is one of the three largest festivals in Japan. . Folk Toys from Gifu . quote The Takayama Festivals 高山祭 Takayama Matsuri The festivals are famous for the large ornate floats, or yatai, which roam around the city at night. Puppets The puppets or marionettes are made of wood, silk and brocade or embroidered cloth. They are operated by strings and push rods from within the yatai. “Karakuri (mechanical) puppet plays performed on a stage are superb”. The puppets like the Yatai represent the skilled craftsmen of the area. The puppets or The three marionettes “on Hotei Tai (the god of fortune)” require 9 puppet masters to manipulate the 36 strings which make the marionettes move in a lifelike manner, with gestures, turns and other movements. A problem with the puppets are parts needed to repair the puppets. The springs in the puppets are made of Right whale baleen and cannot be replaced with steel springs or the baleen of other whales. Other materials used to make the springs cannot duplicate the movements of the springs made with Right whale baleen. source : Wikipedia observance kigo for late spring Takayama matsuri 高山祭 Takayama Festival ..... Sanoo matsuri 山王祭 April 14, 15 at the shrine Hie Jinja 日枝神社 . . . CLICK here for Photos ! 摩訶不思議　からくり人形　今の世も maka fushigi karakuri ningyoo ima no yo mo what a mystery ! these mechanical dolls in our day and time siteim With a photo from the festival in 2007: source : shashin-haiku.jp . Ema 絵馬　votive tablets . with machanical dolls from the parade . OBSERVANCES – SPRING SAIJIKI . :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: . Teri-furi ningyoo 照り降り人形 "weather forecasting dolls" . Ema from the Toshogu shrine, this time with the parade of floats with mechanical dolls. . ema 絵馬 votive tablets . :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: undoo ningyoo 運動人形 undo - dolls doing exercises They stand on an arched pedestal, with their feel on two metal sticks in the frame. The back is attached to a weight with another metal wire. So they can move back and forth. They were popular around 1888, for example the soldier blowing a trumpet. . Folk Toys from Kagawa - Takamatsu . :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: . . . CLICK here for Photos ! . Reference . karakuri netsuke "からくり根付" . . . CLICK here for Photos ! . . . . . Karakuri-Ya Karakuri dolls were the first automata in Japan. Haramitsu Hanya　/ Hannya 般若　 dan-kaeri : somersault doll even a set to "do it yourself" source : karakuriya.com :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: . Shuten-dōji. Shuten Doji 酒呑童子 a Sake Yokai Monster . 酒呑童子のからくり人形 from 国上山 After the gentle doll face has drunk one sip of sake, the face changes to the oni demon mask. - source : mojiok.com - :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: karakuri DARUMA からくりだるま source :　shop.yumetenpo.jp Daruma Yakko Coffee Mug つくいからくり絵マグカップ(だるま/やっこ) ................................................................................. Daruma changes his facial expression source :　kodaruma . :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 回り鼠 (Aichi) 牛若弁慶 (Aichi) でんでん太鼓 (Aichi) 餅つき兎 (Aichi) source : 全国のからくり玩具 :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: Watch it perform on video: KARAKURI AUTOMATA WRITER JAPAN writing kotobuki　寿　celebrating long life source : www.youtube.com :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 人形に餅を売らせて夕涼 ningyoo ni mochi o urasete yuusuzumi he makes the doll sell rice cakes - evening coolness . Kobayashi Issa 小林一茶 in Edo . There was a "Doll Street" in Edo, where the mechanical dolls were sold. Ningyoo Doori 人形通り, Ningyoochoo Doori 人形町通り　 - Some Photos from Tokyo Ningyo Road - ningyoo ni mochi o urasete yuusuzumi a moving doll sells the shop's rice cakes in the evening cool This hokku is from the 9th month (October) of 1818, when Issa was traveling near his hometown. Read the full comment by Chris here: . Chris Drake - Kobayashi Issa .

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. Ayatsuri ningyoo 操り人形 marionette .


. Regional Folk Toys from Japan .


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