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A townhouse in the heart of Nishijin telling the story of handmade fabrics

The building of Orinasukan Hand Fabrics Museum is a machiya townhouse that was originally built as a residence-cum-workshop of a Nishijin weaver. It features the unique atmosphere of an old weaver house, with an atrium, skylights, a massive central pillar, etc. With tatami rooms, rear courtyard, and other details remaining the same as when it was lived and worked in, the building itself serves as clear proof of the tradition of Nishijin weaving. What was once a “toriniwa,” or an earthen-floored space running from the entrance to the back door, is now an exhibition space for reproductions of Noh costumes, an icon of handweaving culture. The museum also exhibits traditional woven fabrics and weaving tools collected from all over Japan. In addition to viewing those exhibits, you can enter the workshop area and watch artisans skillfully applying long-standing handweaving techniques, and even experience handweaving firsthand on prior application. The museum has an annex with a cozy atrium, named “Susameisha,” which was constructed to a design created by architect Michael Anderson reusing materials salvaged from a closed elementary school in Shimane Prefecture. This building is used as a gallery and event venue.