card case by sufuto (Kiyohara Orimono)

The origins of the tsuzure-ori, or tsuzure weave, weaving technique stretch back 4,000 years. The oldest of the Nishijin textiles, tsuzure-ori is renowned for its intricate, finely woven designs. The world’s oldest example and the origin of Japanese tapestry is the Coptic weave, excavated from a royal tomb in ancient Egypt. The weaving spread all over the world and eventually reached the shores of Japan in the Asuka period, almost 1500 years ago.

Kiyohara Orimono (Textiles) was founded in Kyoto in the Muromachi period, in the Omuro region, known as the birthplace of Japanese tapestry. The weaving was later moved to its present location in Shiga, where it has continued to be practised. The centuries-old craftsmanship of the weavers has been carefully preserved and passed down from one generation to the next.

Tsuzuri-ori is a celebratory fabric, known as sufu. In this spirit, sufuto create products that are perfect for special occasions, celebrations and gifts.