Finally we’ve visited Kurashiki Okayama of famous canvas producing region.
First day, we’ve arrived in Kurashiki at night, so just walk around Kurashiki Bikanchiku.
Bikanchiku was protected by Kurashiki landscape regulation in order to preserve historical architectures and buildings.
Basically Edo feudal government controlled Kurashiki directly for building up the magistrate’s office, so a lot of products and materials gather there.
On the other hand, Kurashiki suit for producing cotton, so now 70% of Japan made canvas are produced in Kurashiki, Okayama.
This time we’ve been to the canvas factory of 6SHiKi in Kurashiki Okayama, so will introduce the process of producing Kurashiki canvas with some photos of 6SHiKi factory and artisans.
1. 合糸（Goushi) / Multiple wound yarn
The process of works of producing a thread of 2 to 8 joined original yarn.
The thickness of Canvas is decided by the number of joining thread.
2. 撚糸 (Nenshi) / Twisted yarn
The multiple wound yarn is twisted in order to increase in strength of yarn and decrease fluffing.
The roll of bobbin winding is called “Cheese” by the figure.
3. 整経 (Seikei) / Warping
The process of preparing the warp.
1,000 to 1,200 warps is rolled up warp machine in 6 to 10 times per 200 – 300 warps.
Moreover these warps are rerolled up by a big roll “Beam”.
4. 経通し (Hetoshi) / Drawing-in
Artisans put the warps into the parts of the weaving machine one by one.
5. 製織 (Seisyoku) / Weaving
“Beam” is put on the shuttle change looms, and the weft is set on the looms for plain weaving.
The canvas of around 50 – 70m is wove per the looms in a day.
6. 検反 (Kentan) / Fabric inspection
The canvas that is weaved by the shuttle change looms is cut off per 50m in order to check flaws and blots.
7. 畳み (Tatami) / Folding
After inspection, the canvas is folded per 1m, and accumulated by half folding.
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The know-how of artisans are distilled into these several processes of producing canvas.
Exactly it’s one of traditional industry in Japan.
And then, finally 6SHiKI bags are produced of Kurashiki canvas.
If you would like to enjoy items of the Japanese traditional industry, you could have 6SHiKi bags.
6SHiKi
6SHiKi (ROKU-SHIKI) use one of the most finely made, 9th level specially dyed “Paraffin” finished canvas that fits the skin most.
After using for about a few weeks, keeping it’s water-shedding quality, it will start to fit and become wondrously soft, with it’s original canvas drape.
The vintage drape of original canvas will appear after going through.
More info: 6SHiKi on Pipperoo
