Experience making accessories from kimono fabric in a cafe
(two-way button badge)
Interact with the heart of upcycling, which is linked to the town’s history of sericulture.
Watalis works to upcycle old kimonos into cute accessories. In this workshop, choose your favorite fabric from the colorful kimonos and create a one-of-a-kind button badge.
Watari once flourished as a town for silk manufacturing, or sericulture. Some sericulture farmers began by spinning thread from cocoons, then weaving bolts of fabric and tailoring these into kimonos. It may be a result of this history that the elderly women of the town retain the habit of carefully keeping fabric remnants from kimonos and other clothes. The people of Watari have cultivated a mindset of valuing remnants: “Don’t throw away a piece of fabric big enough to wrap three red beans.”
Impressed by this sentiment, Watalis began its upcycle initiative. Kimonos sleeping in chests of drawers are reborn as cute accessories, and, with their value enhanced, are once again treasured. Even before the word “upcycle” was born, the people of Watari naturally continued such efforts.
Join this workshop to encounter the spirit of the Watari women who treasure small fabric remnants from throughout Japan.
Watalis undoes old kimonos collected from throughout Japan, selects colorful fabrics, and recreates them as accessories.
The patterns of the kimonos are imbued with various wishes, such as “improvement of technique,” “realization of love,” and “prayers for success.” At the workshop, the meanings of the patterns will be thoroughly explained.
Try your hand at figuring out what parts of the fabric pattern to use. Done carefully, even a child can easily make a cute button badge.
Use it as an accent in your coordinates, or pin it to a bag. Enjoy this item of casual fashion.
Souvenir FUGURO and lip balm
Thanks to the Governor of Miyagi Prefecture taking FUGURO (in the paulownia box) and the Setsureika Whitening Series from Cosmetic Aida Co., Ltd. as commemorative gifts on visits overseas,
Watalis now also handles skin care products.
*Presented by the Governor of Miyagi Prefecture on August 23, 2016, in a courtesy call to President Tsai Ing-wen during the Taiwan–Japan Tohoku Exchange Roundtable in Taipei.
You can choose your own color and pattern for your souvenir FUGURO.
What can be learned from this experience?
- The meaning and beauty of ancient Japanese patterns
- The spirit of upcycle
- The appeal of work handling fabric
- A way of life that values things
Recommended for
- People interested in kimono patterns and fabrics
- People who want to experience handiwork with family
- People interested in the traditional lifestyle of Watari
- People interested in sustainable living
- People interested in women’s employment and entrepreneurship following the earthquake
Details of the experience program
| Offered by | WATALIS |
|---|---|
| Description of the plan | Create one-of-a-kind accessories from kimono fabric selected from thousands of pieces. Learn about the recycling culture passed down in Japan, the current state of clothing recycling, and Kissho patterns in kimono fabric. To commemorate your trip to Japan, create a one-of-a-kind Japanese beauty to take home as a souvenir. After you enjoy the production work, enjoy your favorite drinks and baked goods from the cafe menu. |
| Requirements for participation |
Age 10 or older |
| What to bring | Nothing |
| Fee | 6,500 yen (excluding tax) per person |
| Included in fee | Materials fee, handicraft tool rental fee, production instruction fee, drink and cookie fee, souvenir fee (FUGURO in your favorite color and pattern: drawstring bag and lip balm) |
| Meeting place | Nakamachi Cafe (22 Azanakamachi, Watari, Watari District, Miyagi Prefecture) |
| Time required | Approximately 1 hour |
| Schedule |
|
| Support for overseas guests | Support is available if accompanied by interpreters |
| Reservations | Please make a reservation through the form below. (The reservation will be complete when the reservation confirmation reply, made by e-mail or telephone, has been received by the applicant.) Replies will be made on business days. Extra time is required for applications made on a holiday or nonbusiness day. Thank you for your understanding. |
| Reservable dates |
Dates five business days or later from the date of reservation can be requested. |
| Cancellation policy |
3 to 5 days in advance: 20% 2 days in advance: 50% Same day: 100% |
| Related website |
Company website http://watalis.co.jp/ shopping website https://watalis.com/ Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Watalis/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/watalis/ Twitter https://twitter.com/watalis/ |
Experience program application form
Note: * indicates required items
Related experience programs
Experience making accessories from kimono fabric in a cafe (kimono key holder)
Kimono patterns are imbued with people’s wishes. Good health, good luck, protection from evil spirits, improvement of skills, and so forth. Learning the meanings behind the showy patterns also leads to knowing the wearers’ wishes for happiness. Encounter the history of Watari while making a key holder from kimono fabric.
