Kiryu: 1300 years of textile history (Locally Produced Items) Kiryu Textile Memorial Hall - Articles of Clothing; Interior Goods; Kiryu Textile Memorial Hall was Kimono; Obi; Gold-thread Items; Fabric constructed in 1934 to serve as the **Gifts for weddings, and other headquarters for the Kiryu Textile Workers anniversaries; special order items (includ ing Union. In 1997, the building was registered neckties, hanten, T-shirts, and hata-style as an Important Cultural Asset of the flags) country. The shop, “Orisho no Ma” has on display Exhibition Corner : several valuable objects of historical Regular exhibitions of the textiles woven by importance related to weaving, including a local masters Jacquard hand loom. The historical Video Corner: ambiance of the shop is a proper setting for Videos demonstrating the history and the interesting western and Japanese items manufacturing of Kiryu textiles. on display and for sale. Information regarding the Traditional History of Kiryu Textiles Industry known as “Kiryu Ori” is available in Kiryu enjoys over 1300 years of textile the shop and patrons can also learn much history. Long ago, a local man was sent to do from a video demonstrating the history and service at the Imperial Courst. He fell in love production of Kiryu textiles. with one of the ladies-in-waiting who had The shop holds regular exhibitions. learned the skills of sericulture and weaving. Please feel free to visit often! He brought her back to Kiryu and she introduced these skills to the locals. Items for Sale Made in Kiryu: Over the centuries, the name of Kiryu (Shop Original Items) became synonymous with weaving and the - Orihime coasters; Kiryu Ori Furoshiki; city flourished as a textile center on a par Kiryu Omeshi (Traditional Industrial with Kyoto. Craft) Gifts; Neckties; Scarves; During the Meiji Era, the Jacquard loom Hand-dyed Stoles; Pochettes; Items with was introduced, bringing with it the modern Insignias age of textile manufacturing. A Chronology of Kiryu Textiles Shop hours: 10 am – 5 pm Year Event Admission: free of charge Shosoin Temple receives Imperial goods 749 (Ashiginu silk from Kiryu). Nitta Yoshisada uses Nitayama Tsumugi Silk Closed: 1333 for military campaign banners (Nitta Shrine). The last Sat & Sun of each month; Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru issues an order August 15 & 16 1575 for Kiryu silk (Hikobe Manor archival document). Dec 29 – Jan 5 1600 Shogun Tokugawa receives 2410 military banners for the battle at Sekigahara. (Origin Location: of banner-flag silk.) Take the JR Ryomo line from Takasaki Station The Silk Market is opened at Tenmangu 1615 Shrine (about 45 min). 5 minute walk from Kiryu Station. Take the JR Ryomo line from Oyama Station 1742 Kiryu receives a large volume of orders for (about 55 min). 5 minute walk from Kiryu Station. silk from Edo and Kyoto (Nishijin weavers of Kyoto request a moratorium on the import of Kiryu silk). Take the Tobu Ryomo Line from Asakusa Station (about 1 hr 45 min). 15 min taxi ride from the 1783 Iwase Kichibei attaches a water wheel to the station. Hacho Nenshi silk throwing machine. Later, a yarn throwing meter is invented. By car the shop is about a 1 hr drive from the Kaneko Zeneimon invents striped crepe and Sano-Fujioka Exit on the Tohoku Expressway. presents it to Shogun Ienari. The fabric is 1838 called “Omeshi.” About a 30 min drive from the Isesaki Exit on the Kita Kanto Expressway. Silk handkerchiefs are exported at the end 1860 of the era. Kiryu Textile Memorial Hall Modern looms are imported from America. 1870 6-6 Eirakucho, Kiryu City, Gunma Prefecture Phone: 0277-43-7272 1877 Moriyama Yoshihei and Goto Sadakichi employ chemical dyes. Website: www.kiryuorimono.or.jp Email: [email protected] Seiaisha Corp. is established. Modern looms 1880 are employed to weave satin. (Beginning of textile manufacturing in Kiryu.) Power looms replace hand looms in many 1897 mills. 1918 Synthetic silk is used to weave “Bunka Obi”. 1977 “Kiryu Ori” (Kiryu Weave) is designated a Traditional Industrial Artifact of Japan. Computers are used for weaving figured 1985 textiles. .