Nukumori Kobo: Connecting "Japanese Stripes" to the Present Day

 

Nukumori Kobo is located in a quiet residential area of ​​Somejidai, Hamana Ward, Hamamatsu City. Inside the shop, you can find a variety of Enshu cotton fabrics and accessories, allowing you to experience the traditional weaving techniques that have been passed down in Hamamatsu up close.

 

 

Tracing the history of Enshu cotton pongee leads us back to Ubuginu Shrine in Hamamatsu City. This shrine, known for the Tanabata legend, has been offering silk fabrics called "Onzo," woven in this region, to Ise Grand Shrine for over 800 years, since the late Heian period.

 

Over time, the material shifted from silk to cotton, and the Enshu region developed as a center for cotton textile production. This is how Enshu cotton pongee was born.

 

 

Enshu cotton pongee is characterized by its soft texture and delicate striped patterns. At Nukumori Kobo, we develop colors and patterns that evoke the four seasons, based on the theme of "Japanese stripes."

 

 

The shop also displays a "Suzuki Loom Works single-shuttle narrow-width loom" that was made over 100 years ago, allowing visitors to experience the history and culture of craftsmanship.

 

 

A workshop to introduce you to Enshu cotton pongee.

 

After learning about Enshu cotton pongee inside the shop, head diagonally across from it. Passing through the Japanese garden, you'll see a small building. This is where the making of the lucky cat figurines truly begins.

 

 

 

One of the reasons I started this workshop was my desire to make use of the scraps of fabric that are generated during the manufacturing process, but that's not the only reason.

 

"I think that the term 'traditional craft' can sometimes make something seem a little intimidating," says store manager Iriyama.

 

 

We wanted to give not only people interested in Enshu cotton pongee, but a wider range of people the opportunity to experience the fabric. That's how this lucky cat making experience came about.

 

"It's cute, so I wanted to try it." "My child said they wanted to make one, so I decided to participate."

 

We hope that people will discover Enshu cotton pongee through such a casual encounter. That's the wish behind our workshops.

 

 

The participants range in age from young children to the elderly. Nukumori Kobo also holds workshops at nursing homes every month, and some participants reminisce fondly about their family's weaving business.

 

For children, it's a place for new discoveries, and for the elderly, it's a time to reminisce about the past. We are creating opportunities for people of all generations to experience Enshu cotton pongee.

 

 

Choose your fabric from a variety of colorful scraps.

 

Various sizes of fabric are laid out on the table. Participants peer into the boxes, chatting excitedly, saying things like, "This one's cute," and "This one's nice too." The time spent deciding which fabric to choose is also part of the fun of this experience.

 

 

The fabrics provided include not only small scraps but also larger ones.

 

"When we're making products as a company, fabric of this size is surprisingly difficult to use. It takes time and effort to think about color combinations, prepare threads, and write order forms. But it's too big to throw away. So we use it in workshops and for making beanbags," says Iriyama.

 

Facing a variety of fabrics born from the manufacturing process, participants spend time contemplating their own preferred combinations.

 

 

Creating a one-of-a-kind lucky cat

 

Cut fabric scraps into your favorite shapes and stick them onto a papier-mâché lucky cat. Since the back is adhesive, the only tool you basically need is scissors. Even young children can easily participate.

 

 

The papier-mâché we will be using this time, like Enshu cotton pongee, is one of the traditional crafts that farmers used to work on during the winter off-season. This experience will allow you to experience two traditional crafts: Enshu cotton pongee and papier-mâché.

 

 

While the participants were chatting happily when choosing fabrics, their expressions gradually became serious as the creation process began. They worked silently, carefully considering the fabric combinations and facial expressions.

 

It's a simple process of just cutting and pasting with scissors, but the impression changes dramatically depending on the combination and arrangement of the fabrics. Before we knew it, we had lost track of time, each of us engrossed in creating our own unique works.

 

When you line up the finished works, you'll see that no two are alike. Some cats have adorable expressions, while others have unique patterns. Each one is a unique lucky cat, a reflection of the individual's sensibilities.

 

 

Take it home in an Enshu cotton pongee drawstring bag.

 

The lucky cat you create can be taken home in a drawstring pouch made of Enshu cotton fabric. You can also choose your favorite pattern for the pouch, so the fun of deciding which one to get continues until the very end.

 

After your experience, we recommend browsing the shop for small items and goods made from Enshu cotton pongee. You can enjoy choosing souvenirs while appreciating the unique colors and patterns of Enshu cotton pongee.

 

 

 

What you can experience in this tour

 

The experience lasts about an hour. First, you'll be shown a loom made over 100 years ago inside the shop, and receive an explanation about the history and characteristics of Enshu cotton pongee.

 

Afterward, we pass through the Japanese garden of Niwasei, located diagonally across from the shop, and enter a small building. In this tranquil space, we learn about Enshu cotton pongee and the background of its craftsmanship.

 

In the workshop, participants choose their favorite colors and patterns from a variety of fabric scraps of different sizes to create a papier-mâché lucky cat.

 

The finished, one-of-a-kind lucky cat figurine can be taken home in a drawstring pouch made of Enshu cotton fabric. It's a perfect souvenir of your trip or a great gift, offering a warm, handcrafted experience.

 

 

 

 

Guide introduction

 

Hikaru Iriyama, Manager of Nukumori Koubou

 

Originally from Hamamatsu City, she currently manages a store as its owner and also shares the charm of Enshu cotton pongee with a wide range of generations through workshops and events. She values ​​providing accessible experiences and information to help people feel closer to traditional crafts.