🗺️ Tōkyō Textile Museum

Kiryu has been a renowned textile hub in Japan since ancient times. As a comprehensive production area that gathers various textile techniques, it is known as the "City of Textiles." The history of Kiryu textiles is quite long, with records of textile contributions to the imperial court dating back to the year 714 AD. During the Battle of Sekigahara, the victorious Tokugawa Ieyasu's military flag was made from "Kiryu fabric," and thereafter, it gained even more popularity as a symbol of good fortune during the Edo period. By the Meiji era, the Kiryu textile industry was among the first to introduce advanced foreign technologies, establishing a modern production system and developing into one of the world's leading textile industrial regions. The so-called Kiryu fabric employs a dyeing technique known as "saki-dye woven fabric." This involves weaving patterns using pre-dyed silk threads, characterized by a lightweight, soft texture and unique luster, also referred to as jacquard fabric. Kiryu textiles consist of seven major techniques: "Omishima-ori," "Weft brocade," "Warp brocade," "Kazetori-ori," "Floating warp-ori," "Warp kasuri-ori," and "Tsumugi-ori." Among these, Kiryu belts and kimonos are regarded as the highest quality, and in 1972, they were designated as traditional crafts. In recent years, they have also been applied to suits, attracting attention as clothing materials and being exported worldwide. To gain a deeper understanding of Kiryu textiles, please visit the Kiryu Textile Museum, which is filled with the historical traces of Kiryu textiles. The building was originally the office of the Kiryu Textile Association, established in 1934, and is now open to the public as a museum introducing Kiryu textiles. It is also a cultural heritage of Kiryu City and was recognized as a Japanese Heritage site by the Agency for Cultural Affairs in 2015. The building features a brick exterior with a roof made of greenish-blue tiles. The Western-style architecture is rich in historical atmosphere. The first floor showcases traditional handlooms and other designs, creating an elegant ambiance unique to the textile capital. The sales area primarily sells various products, including Japanese and Western textile goods and clothing materials. The second floor is an exhibition hall displaying many precious looms, materials, and products used in the past. Additionally, it offers visitors the opportunity to participate in hands-on weaving activities. Kiryu Textile Museum sells Kiryu fabric ties and scarves and hosts various special exhibitions. The second floor displays precious looms and tools used in Kiryu's history. The museum is conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from JR Kiryu Station. There is a saying, "In the West, there is Nishijin (Kyoto), and in the East, there is Kiryu." Leading the Japanese textile industry, Kiryu textiles, with their brilliant history and charm, are sure to provide you with emotional and aesthetic enjoyment.