Located a little way from the hustle and bustle of Nagoya, Arimatsu is a charming town where the tradition of tie-dyeing that has continued since the Edo period lives on. Located in the southeastern part of Nagoya, this area with its upturned streets is the first area designated for preservation in Nagoya, and is also the birthplace of the National Townscape Preservation Federation, and is a valuable cultural asset with over 200 years of history.

Arimatsu's streets retain the atmosphere of the good old days

At the Arimatsu Narumi Shibori Kaikan in the center of Arimatsu, you can experience the history and techniques of tie-dyeing that span more than 400 years. Here, you can fully enjoy the charm of Arimatsu tie-dyeing through displays and demonstrations of traditional techniques, as well as hands-on workshops. Walking through the streets of Arimatsu, you will come across townhouses that retain the atmosphere of the good old days, making you feel as if you have traveled back in time.

The beginning of Arimatsu shibori

The history of Arimatsu shibori dates back to 1608, at the beginning of the Edo period, shortly after Tokugawa Ieyasu established the shogunate in Edo. At the time, the Arimatsu area was a barren wasteland with no houses, but Arimatsu was developed as a new settlement for people traveling along the Tokaido road. However, Arimatsu's hilly region was unsuitable for rice cultivation, so the residents had to find another way to make a living. So Takeda Shokuro, who lived in Arimatsu, began selling tie-dyed hand towels made from Mikawa cotton as souvenirs to travelers traveling along the road. This was the beginning of Arimatsu shibori, which has been passed down and developed to this day as a traditional craft that supports everyday life in Arimatsu.

Arimatsu shibori is characterised by its high level of creativity. Because a wide variety of patterns can be created using shibori and dyeing, it is said that if there are 100 people, there will be 100 different techniques. Each creator uses tools that suit their own style and can create works based on their own ideas. This freedom is what makes Arimatsu shibori interesting and appealing. Therefore, the techniques are constantly evolving without being tied to a single tradition.

The tradition of Arimatsu Shibori changes with the times

Arimatsu Shibori is not just a traditional craft. It has changed and evolved with the times. Every year on the first Saturday of June, the Arimatsu Shibori Festival is held, where many people gather to enjoy its charms. Tsuyoshi Kuno, the fourth generation owner of the Kuno Shibori Dyeing Factory, says, "The shibori itself is simple. It has continued for 400 years because it's fun." The dyeing experience is a gateway to conveying the fun of the art to many people.

Experience the charm of Arimatsu Shibori

Arimatsu Shibori teaches us that everyone is an artist who has their own world. Even if the same technique is used, each person's sensibility is reflected, resulting in a one-of-a-kind work. By showing each other the finished work, we can get a sense of each other's individuality, conversations naturally emerge, and time flows richly. Patterns and new techniques discovered by chance further enhance the depth and interest of Arimatsu Shibori.

The reason Arimatsu Shibori has continued for 400 years is because it's fun. Experiencing Arimatsu Shibori for yourself will help you appreciate its charm and bring out the free and creative part that is overflowing from within you. Arimatsu Shibori has continued to take on new challenges while preserving tradition. It will continue to support the daily lives of people who live in Arimatsu and fascinate many people.

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Arimatsu Narumi Shibori Hall

Address: 3008 Arimatsu, Midori-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 458-0924

Access: 4 minutes walk from Meitetsu Arimatsu Station

HP: https://shibori-kaikan.com/

*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.