Experience information

From the Meiji period to the Showa period, farmers in the Saku region would reuse unused cloth and weave it on looms called "Sakiori. At that time, cloth was precious and it was expensive and difficult to purchase new clothes, so it was customary to tear apart old cloth and use it as material for weaving, to make clothing for the family. The owner of Tsutaya revived the tradition as "Sakuori" in order to pass on the fascination and beauty of the Sakiori weaving and the tradition of valuing things.

The looms used in the inn were collected from the old houses in Saku region from the Meiji and Showa periods and repaired them one by one so that they are once again functional. As you work the loom, imagining the finished product, you will lose track of time and become immersed in the process.

Ai grass, the raw material of indigo dye, has a detoxifying effect and is said to keep poisonous insects away. Ai grass is also grown in the inn's small field. Depending on the season, fresh leaves can be used to dye a noble color called "secret color. Ai liquid is made by mixing fermented indigo plant with sake and wood ashes. The stream next to the inn is used wash out the excess dye. The end result is a beautiful color that mysteriously appears when dyed in the sparkling water. The color intensity and pattern will change completely depending on the length of time, the number of washes and location of the cloth soaking in the indigo solution. Enjoy creating a one-of-a-kind work of art while envisioning the finished product.

※Dyed with a mixture of Ai indigo and indigo pure.

Visitors can experience making a flower raft using the loom at the inn, weaving flowers into a raft and floating it in the stream next to the inn. You can use either indigo-dyed fabric or torn fabric. Choose from a wide variety of materials. There are no rules for the design. Why not create your own original flower raft while having fun and devising ways to make it float on the water.