Mikawa Cotton Weaving Workshop in Gamagori

Discover the craftsmanship behind Mikawa cotton, a textile tradition cultivated in Japan’s Mikawa region for more than 400 years.

In this hands-on workshop, you’ll experience the transformation of locally grown cotton from soft raw fiber into yarn and, ultimately, woven cloth.

Begin by handling Mikawa-grown cotton and learning how it has long been processed using simple traditional tools. Try cotton ginning to separate the seeds from the fiber, then fluff the cotton in preparation for spinning.

Next, use a traditional spinning wheel to draw the cotton into a continuous strand of yarn with your own hands. The yarn you spin becomes part of the piece you will weave yourself. At the loom, choose your preferred colors for the weft and gradually watch individual threads take shape as fabric. Finish your work by carefully trimming and arranging the fringe to complete your original Mikawa cotton coaster.

Following each stage from cotton to yarn and yarn to cloth offers an intimate look at the skill and patience behind traditional Japanese textile making.

At the end of the experience, take home a unique piece of Mikawa cotton craftsmanship made by your own hands.