The Nordic Knitting Symposium No. 10 took place in Japan, thanks to Akiyo Murono, who has attended all the former symposiums. When she invited us to Japan - our answer was of course: YES. So thank you to Akiyo and thank you to all the very kind Japanese friends I got in Japan. I hope to meet all of you again!

 

Contrasts in TOKYO: Old and new p p The restroom signs in the Operaen were more stylish than anywhere else. p The four teachers from Scandinavia (Susanna Hansson, Kirja Kongsbak, Kerstin Jönsson and I) gave a 3 quarter sharp talk at Nihon Vogue.Here is also Mariko, Akiyo, Yuri and the lady from Nihon Vogue.  Takako, that I met last year in Norway, showed Kirja and I what we wanted to see in Tokyo - we had a great day - so thank to Takako  (and her husband). u p The same night was the opening night for the symposium and we all got the program and everything. It was so exciting!!!! q The next day we all visited Nihon Vogue  -12 stores of craft. This is how to fold an obi (the thing on the back). It was quite complicated.  uq The red kimono was stunning - her the back. q At last we aplauded and they all bowed at the excact same time. q p After that we saw how to fold a square formed scarf called a "furoshiki" - into a tote bag. We also saw how to use them as beautiful gift wraps - very interesting! q On our way to Kyosato we visited an old company who had a long tradition of making shibori. It was very impressing. p The morning view from my window. q 5 Skals-girls say Hello to Skals Håndarbejdsskole!!! u I got the address for Avril (yarn shop) at the hotel and took a cab - but the driver brought me to the complete opposite direction as I expected. OK!!! May be they have moved - but NO - I was driven to the wholesale company! Here I found a huge amount of yarn and 2 very sweet helpers. u A bike in the old part of Kyoto. p Working while sitting on the floor. p And here is the shibori. I bought quite a lot! Here is a beautiful modern Furoshiki shop p Vegetables - but no organic vegetables - Kirja kept asking.... u   Kyoto has temples and shrines all over - all very beautiful - see them in my former blog on Japan. This time the Golden Temple was wet - it rained and rained. Umbrellas in a stand q Next destination: OSAKA.u   Here is my sweet helper on her knees.  p p Loose and slim Note! The heels of her shoes! p Many people! t A "doll" with a full skirt. q A tasteful shop with Japanese textile p It was quite fantastisc to talk for 125 Japanese women (and there was a waiting list). p Here we are visiting the knitting and crochet magazin Keito Dama. Next isue has Nordic Knitting as a theme. q t Nihon Vogue had organized a very special day for us. Here is a kimono demonstration. The size is - One size fits all!! q - and here it is from the front. A kimono is not a dress one slips into in a minute - it takes time! q - and here from the front! To rent a traditional wedding kimono costs more than a one month pay-cheque. ... and here is how to make silk threads. p Here is a silk worm in its cocoon t  and here is how they look like after having been in water for some time. t Here is how the threads was wound.  q And here is some finished silk products. The next day we went on a sight seing tour in Tokyo where we saw some temples etc. t Here is an enormous paper "lamp" with something written on it q and here is some gods with bibs on. Finally we ended up in KYOSATO in the mountains, where the symposium took place. q I noticed the blue girls in front of the blue hydrangeas - and I rushed into the photo - see the blue girls!  In Kyosato - The symposium can begin. p Above is one of my classes. t Here is Chiyo Takeoka knitting. q Everybody was very serious and busy working. t A sweet little domino pincushion. p I was so lucky to be able to take part of a class with taught by Kiyoko Yoshikawa, who had written the book: Food Knit, that I bought in New York years ago. q Here is an example of Kiyokos art work. A very delicious lunch box - isn't it? I dont remember the name of this - but it was quite impressing. The small "fingerrings" was meant to be a kind of thimbles.  t Astonishing! p Here is Se Sohon from Taiwan. She had crocheted her beautiful dress using a crochet hook with a hook in both ends. Above to the left is a close up. q - and below is Se's hands!! The next day they were exactly as anybody elses hands - hmmm...  p A party the very last night in Kyosato. t Sad to say Goodby - I sincerely hope that we will meet again next year !!! ... and now to KYOTO. p The lady to the left is Setsuko Torii, who wrote the book showed to the left. I bought that book last time I was in Japan. That was very exciting - and the book is quite remarcable and very Japanese! p Walking in town I passed by a shibori butik, where the shop assistent served me sitting on his knees on a little platform. p Here are colorful furoshikies. t Finally here - see Kirja! t We all had umbrellas. p - and cute kids in yellow raincoats. t Where Susanna, Kirja, Kerstin and I practiced q bare-foot teching q because the shoes were places outside. The classes took place in a very special old restaurant where the acoustics were fabolous. It was absolutely no problem that we were 4 classes in one room. t and the food were a culinary highlight. p The classes in Osaka were organized by Teoriya (click here!) - a lovely and very tasteful shop with knitting and weaving yarns. Weaving classes took place on the first floor. t Kirja and Akiyo in a conversation - I wonder - did Kirja buy yarn!!!??? Thank you to all - first and foremost to Akiyo Murono and Mariko Nonaka, who had organized it all and to all the wonderful knitters I met in Japan. I will never forget those wonderful days in Japan. Vivian