[Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture] Harakata Sashiko is a symbol of Yonezawa's tradition and culture!

Yonezawa City, Yamagata Prefecture is a hometown of handicrafts.
Various traditional crafts such as safflower dyeing and wood crafts have been produced since ancient times.
Yonezawa Tsumugi, which I previously introduced on NEFT, can be said to be one of them.

"Harakata Sashiko", which we will introduce this time, is also a handicraft that has been around since the Edo period.
Sashiko is a branch of Japanese handicrafts.
It is a traditional method of embroidering geometric patterns on coarse fabric such as linen using thread to create a stylish yet durable fabric that is impermeable to wind.
It can be said that it is a traditional craft that developed in cold regions such as the Tohoku region where cotton cannot be produced.

The three major sashiko in Japan include ``Tsugaru Kogin sashi'', ``Nanbu Hishi sashiko'', and ``Shonai sashiko''.
However, the southern part of Yamagata Prefecture also had its own unique sashiko technique.
That is "Harakata Sashiko"
In this article, we will introduce Yonezawa's traditional handicraft "Harakata Sashiko".

What is Harakata Sashiko that has been passed down in Yonezawa?

Harakata Sashiko has been passed down in Yonezawa since ancient times.
Its roots are in the early Edo period.

After losing at the Battle of Sekigahara, the Uesugi family's estate was reduced from 1.2 million koku to 300,000 koku in Yonezawa.
As a result, the lower-class samurai ``Harakata-shu'' are forced to live half-farmer-like lives.
It is said that the wives of the Harakatashuu, who had little clothing to wear, used sashiko stitching to make small pieces of cloth strong and long-lasting by stitching them together and overlapping them with thread.
These are the roots of Harakata Sashiko.

Sashiko is a handicraft that was generally used by ordinary people living in poverty.
However, Harakata Sashiko was a tradition that was passed down by the wives of samurai families and developed through a slightly unusual process.

What are the characteristics of Harakata Sashiko?

The accessory that symbolizes Harakata Sashiko is the ``Hanazokin'',
which is characterized by beautiful patterns inside a frame shaped like a tortoiseshell.
Even in my life as a half-samurai and half-farmer, I never forget my spirit as a samurai!
It embodies the pride of being a samurai's wife. The nobility of this technique, which has been passed down to the present day, is worth seeing!

Modern pieces include coasters.
Harakata sashiko is originally made by connecting hexagonal frames.
The coaster, which takes up only one frame, is a small but wonderful piece of work that gives you a sense of nobility in its cuteness.
We recommend purchasing one as a souvenir!

Who would like to see Harakata Sashiko works?

For those who want to see many beautiful Harakata sashiko works, we recommend Sashiko Kobo Soshoan.
This is a workshop where many works by Kiyoko Endo, a Harakata sashiko artist, are on display.
Endo is a leading Harakata sashiko artist with an illustrious career, exhibiting numerous works at exhibitions both domestically and internationally, and appearing on NHK's Oshare Kobo to introduce sashiko.
Her sashiko-filled works are also on display in her studio.

“Just looking at it is not enough!”
“I want to try making it myself!”

For such people, we recommend a trial class for beginners (reservation required).
At Soshoan, anyone can easily enjoy sashiko.
If you want to experience Yonezawa's traditional culture, why not give it a try?

INFORMATION

If you go to Soshoan, be sure to check out the Ancient Fabric and Weaving Reference Museum and Yonezawa Folk Crafts Museum.

Next to Sashiko Kobo Soshoan is the Primitive Cloth Ancient Weaving Reference Museum.
This facility was opened in 1981 with the aim of restoring lost primitive textiles and ancient weaving to the modern era and preserving the techniques.
Many interesting materials are on display, including actual items and looms that have been used.

At the back of the building is Dewa's Oriza Yonezawa Folk Crafts Museum, where numerous folk crafts are on display, including cloth that is the origin of Yonezawa textiles.
Two facilities where you can learn about the history of Japanese clothing and its origins.
If you are interested in Harakata Sashiko, why not give it a visit as well?
You will definitely be drawn into the history of folk art!

INFORMATION