{"id":130787,"date":"2021-03-21T18:30:43","date_gmt":"2021-03-21T09:30:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/?p=130787&lang=en"},"modified":"2025-12-18T15:34:10","modified_gmt":"2025-12-18T06:34:10","slug":"kurume-kasuri-studio-guide","status":"publish","type":"guide","link":"https:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/guides\/kurume-kasuri-studio-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Kurume Kasuri Guide 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kurume Kasuri is a traditional textile from the Chikugo region that has been handed down over the generations. It is currently produced in Kurume City, Hirokawa Town (in Yame District) and Chikugo City. Patterns are envisioned and the cotton is dyed before it is woven, so the slight variations resulting from this process yield the trademark rough-around-the-edges patterns. This is just one element that adds to the appeal of Kurume Kasuri. The technique for making Kurume Kasuri was invented over <\/span>220<\/span> years ago by a 12-year-old girl named Den Inoue, the inquisitive daughter of a rice merchant and a skilled weaver in her own right.<\/span>
\n\u25b7Kurume Kasuri – 21 Studios<\/a><\/p>\n

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\nThe Indonesian technique of dyeing yarn before it is woven, or ikat, is well known around the world, but the technique used in Kurume did not derive from the Asian continent; rather, it is a unique form of textile that evolved on its own from a time when self-sufficiency was the norm.<\/span><\/p>\n

Before the birth of Kurume Kasuri, the Chikugo region grew indigo in the rich soils along the Chikugo River, much of which is shipped to Osaka. It also grew cotton, but at that time, each household only produced the textiles it needed to get by, or as a side business during the farming offseason. Back then, the dark blue garments that people wore every day only came in plain or striped patterns, so it is probably only natural that the snowfall-like pattern of white dots scattered on blue that Den Inoue developed by trial and error soon became popular. After the Kurume Kasuri process was improved upon, techniques to create large and small patterns and picture patterns were developed, and the industry flourished with the encouragement of the government.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Click here<\/a> to learn more about the processes used to make Kurume Kasuri.<\/p>\n

Kurume Kasuri that meets the strictest conditions is classified as an important intangible cultural property, while indigo dyed hand-woven Kurume Kasuri that satisfies a slightly relaxed set of conditions is classified as a traditional handicraft. There is also machine-woven Kurume Kasuri that can be dyed colorfully. In this way, a wide variety of Kurume Kasuri is produced for different uses.<\/p>\n

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Visit the county where Kurume Kasuri is grown<\/b>
\nCurrently, there are 21 Kurume Kasuri workshops, each which has its own specialty. Some of the workshops specialize in the production of Kurume Kasuri as an important intangible cultural property, and others use traditional indigo dyeing and hand-weaving techniques while striving to make more modern looking garments.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sometimes events are held to open workshops to the public, but there are also workshops that accept individual tours and workshops where you can take lessons in indigo dyeing and weaving. Reservations are required in advance. Many workshops also have attached galleries where you shop for garments and accessories. Why not make Kurume and its kasuri workshops the destination for your next trip?<\/span><\/p>\n

Not all, but some of these studios welcome visitors with appointments made in advance. Below is a map with the locations of active studios. On this page<\/a> you can read about recent trends in the world of Kurume Kasuri and below is a list of upcoming events.<\/p>\n

\u25b7<\/a>Kurume Kasuri – 21 Studios<\/strong>
\n– Experiences x 7<\/a>
\n– Factory tours x 7<\/a>
\n– Studio with shops x 2<\/a>
\n– Factory only (visits not possible) x 5<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25b7Annual Events<\/a>
\n\u25b7Museum, Exhibition Facility<\/a><\/p>\n

\u25b7Related Articles<\/strong>
\nIntroducing Kurume Kasuri
\nhttps:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/introducing-kurume-kasuri\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Kurume Kasuri \u2013 A Textile to Treasure
\nhttps:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/kurume-kasuri-a-textile-to-treasure\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Kurume Kasuri: Experience Fukuoka\u2019s Traditional Textile First Hand
\nhttps:\/\/www.fukuoka-now.com\/en\/guide-to-kurume-kasuri-experiences\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Map to the Kurume Kasuri Studios<\/strong>
\nClick on the marked locations for information on most of the active studios<\/p>\n