Meet Mr Tanji.
Mr Koichi Tanji will take a week away from HATAOTO Weaving School and his 160 students to visit us in September, 15th – 21st. Majoring in architecture and spending his early working life as part of an interior design team he went on to establish his own architectural design office. To understand how interior fabrics were made he attended the HATAOTO Weaving School in 1985 and eventually he was able to bring his design skills into the realm of textiles. In 1998 he took over the running of the school. HATAOTO means “sound of loom” and the looms are found in 3 locations, Tokyo, Saitama and Gunma. There are 4 teachers and 4 courses, Primary, Secondary, Advanced and Master. The School’s policy is to respect individual ideas and artistic sense while giving opportunities for people to create original, beautiful textile.
In April 2016 at the Saitama Campus of the school, Mr Tanji had indigo vats ready for a resist dye process called ‘itajime’. What fun! We were able to see all aspects of the learning at this small campus and were privileged to see a demonstration of paper spinning. The fine paper yarn is woven into beautiful cloth.
Visiting the HATAOTO Weaving School Exhibition in Tokyo was an amazing experience, such exquisite fabrics and garments. While quite a number of the items on display were made of the finest silk there were recognisable weave structures in cotton, linen and wool. It was also great to see the traditional kimono and obi alongside contemporary garments and accessories, interior pieces and wall hangings. As we looked carefully we recognised great technical proficiency in weaving and dyeing. Our group of 10 weavers, as international visitors were given such a generous welcome.
There are 4 opportunities to meet Mr Tanji.
1. At the HWS&D Guild of Tas Guild Rooms, St Georges Church, Battery Point Saturday 16th September 9:30am – 3:00pm
-Mr Tanji will give a presentation and show some of his work.
-participants will be able to prepare and spin rice paper
-Mr Tanji will demonstrate the use of a curved weaving sword to wave the wefts and also the ‘yoroke’, a reed to curve the warps while weaving.
-The day includes a bring and share lunch.
2. At Joy Rees’ Studio, Nandroya, 262 Sandfly Rd, Margate. Natural Dye Workshop.
Sunday 17th September 9:30 – 3:00pm
Mr Tanji will show the block resist technique, ‘itajime’ on fabric and yarn.
The prepared dye material will be native cherry and Eucalyptus cordata.
Some mordanted cloth included in cost.
3. At the Northern Branch of the Guild’s Meeting Place, The Harry Abbott Scout Centre, Cnr Arthur & St George Square, Launceston.
Tuesday 19th September 9:30am – 3:00pm
- Mr Tanji will give a presentation and show some of his work.
-participants will be able to prepare and spin rice paper.
-Mr Tanji will demonstrate the use of a curved weaving sword to wave the
wefts and also the ‘yoroke’, a reed to curve the warps while weaving.
-The day includes a bring and share lunch.
4. At the Northern Branch of the Guild’s Meeting Place, The Harry Abbott Scout Centre, Cnr Arthur & St George Square, Launceston.
Wednesday 20th September 9:30am – 3:00 pm
-A Introduction to Eco or Bundle Dyeing Workshop
-Preparation of cloth, scouring and mordanting
-Experimenting with different fibres and cloth
-A range of plant materials
- Several processes.
Please access the registration form for workshop costs and payment options.
Registrations need to be made by 31st August.
Please note that the Dyeing Workshops while Mr Tanji is visiting will take the place of the previously advertised workshop for September.