GTL

This is for anyone who's been there and
done that. I would like to know where is the best place to shop for textiles (ie. silk)
and also for "plique-a-jour"? I will be traveling to Japan and Kyoto.
What kind of weather can I expect in early
October?

I have also heard that Japan is somewhat
strict on prescriptions brought in even for your own use. Please advise. ALL and any input will be greatly appreciated.

Florence

Bonjour GTL,

October should be really pleasant. As for prescriptions drugs, you shouldn't have any problem provided you bring them in their original package and they don't include narcotics. Bring your doctor's script for further comfort of mind. I always travel with some medication against migraine and have never had any question asked ...

What kind of textiles are you looking for ? Kimonos ? raw textiles, dyied ? old, new ?

www.kyotoguide.com has a list of shops, fleamarkets, second-hand kimono stores, etc. Kyoto tourist office will also provide addresses and informations on special exhibitions.

The best buys for old kimonos and obis are the fleamarkets, and I've found good deals at kikuya's. Aizen Kobo is great for indigo, the area around Nishijin Center is full of traditional textile shops.

Surprisingly, there are some excellent kimono shops in the station basement, and of course all along Teramachi and in the department stores along Shijo-street.

peng

I heard that someone said Vicks inhaler is not allowed in Japan but I cannot confirm that. Here is the link from Japanese Consulate in LA http://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/e_w..._m02_08_04.htm

laurieco

I bought a beautiful antique silk kimono at the Kyoto Handicraft Center at a reasonable price. They also have a good selection of woodblock prints and other items. In Tokyo, the Oriental Bazzar has some nice things, including silk kimono's at good prices.

nickn

Here is one link that talks about medications, see FAQ 4 and 5.

http://www.seattle.us.emb-japan.go.j.../index_faq.htm

GTL

Thanks to all the nice folks that took
time to answer with such detail. I appreciate all the knowledge shared.
I have taken notes and will start checking all the links you all have provided. keep all that good advice
coming. once again, thanks to all.

emd

GTL, since I learned that you are not going til mid-November (ah ha, a person like me who plans for many many months before the trip!) I have a recommendation for you on the question of textiles in Kyoto. I am also interested in fabrics and woodblock prints and have been gathering info on these in Kyoto for my own trip. I have an article here from Architectural Digest from sometime in the last 6-8 months on shopping for art and antiques in Kyoto ("A Feeling for Kyoto: Designer Elissa Cullman Offers an Insider's View of the City's Antiques and Art). A small shop called Nakamura Chingireten is apparently known for its antique textiles. Fabrics, fabric handbags, fabric collages and wall hangings in incredible silk fabrics accompany thearticle. Another interesting recommendation is Shihoko Fukumoto, who is described as Kyoto's leading textile artist. Fukmoto is best known for her wall hangings, which are have so much depth and artistry that they function as paintings.
Nakamura Chinigreten is at Moto-cho 372-1, Yamatooji-dori, Furumonzen Agaru, Higashiyama-ku; 81-75-561-4726.
Shihoko Fukumoto is at Gallery Togakudo C. Ltd., Kyoto Asahi Bldg. 7F, Yanagihachiman-cho 65, Oike-dori, Yanaginobanba, Nakagyou-ku; 81-75-222-0282.
This article in AD has many other good recommendations for shopping for woodblock prints, antique screens, scrolls, pottery and ceramics, porcelain, decorative objects, etc. I am in the market myself for woodblock prints and am going to a few Japanese galleries in NYC this weekend to see what they have and pricing so I can have some comparison when I get to Japan.

mrwunrfl

Here is the reference, courtesy Madrid Library online, for the AD article that emd cited:

Autores: Kandell, Jonathan
Revista: Architectural Digest, 2004 August; (August)
Página(s): 28-45
ISSN: 00038520

lcuy

GTL- don't forget a great way to get silk is to buy used kimono or obi at flea markets. They usually run $10-$30 each and are often like new.

You can check on JNTO or at the TIC when you arrive to get the schedules. Most are on temple grounds. Remember how heavy silk is and bring a backpack or wheeled bag if you plan to buy a lot!

GTL

Thanks to both of you for the valuable
input. I've transferred your suggestions to my notebook. Just
keep it coming. I save it all. Can never have too many notes!
Thanks

emd

I went to the JNTO office in NY on Friday while in the city for work. I got a printout from JNTO which has the Yokoso campaign "Explore Japan" logo on it, and the printout is called "Textiles in Japan", w/a map of Japan on the front. The first page has alot of history info on textiles. Page 2 starts the Kyoto textile tour, w/places you can go to see a "first rate free demonstration of tradional Japanese kimono and obi-style weaving (Nishijen Textile Center or Nishijin-Ori Kaiken; 9 to 5 daily). It also describes a places you can go (Kodai Yuzen Museum, 9 to 5 daily)to do your own dyeing of a handherchief sized peice, using traditional stencil-dyeing technique, for 1050 yen. If you do this, you can also visit the nearby house of the museum's owner, who creates beautiful shoji doors out of antique kimono. And the place Florence mentioned, Aizen Kobo, where you can go to do your own indigo dyeing (1500 yen) in a half hour session.
They list the flea markets for antique textiles and used kimono as:
1) the Toji Temple market, 21st each month
2) 25th of the month at at Kitano Shrine
3) Ones held periodically at Myoren-ji Temple, Chio-ji Temple, Koshi-ji temple
4) It suggests checking these English language periodicals for info on smaller neighborhood antique and secondhand sales: Kansai Time Out, and Kyoto Visitors Guide.
For anyone interested in textiles, I suggest getting this publication from JNTO, as it has thi skind of info on textiles for many areas in Japan, including the Textile Co-ops for many different types of weaving and dyeing in many areas of Japan, and a list of useful websites.

GTL

emd

Thanks much for the input. Still saving notes. keep it coming.

Thanks for your input, time and help
all is very appreciated.

emd

You are welcome. My teen son and I want to do some of this hands-on Japanese style craft experimentation while in Kyoto or Kurashiki, so that is why I am getting into this area.

Glad you are going in Nov. when the weather will be settled down. The typhoon apparently closed Narita on Sat. I am wondering how a fellow poster on here, dgruzew, made out. He was scheduled to land Sunday morning I think.

GTL

emd
My husband and son have really been looking forward to the indigo dying. My husband has re-arranged our itinerary a couple of times to make sure that he has enough time
in Kyoto to take part in the dyeing.

We chose November becouse, I love
the colors of Fall which are supposed to be spectacular in Japan.
My husband dabbles in photography. We are looking forward to some beautiful photographs.

I really do hope that you and your family have a lovely time in Japan.

We are really looking forward to our visit.

I hope that dgruzew is doing fine, and
enjoying.

emd

GTL: Please let us know how the Kyoto textiles expedition and indigo dyeing works out, as it will help me and others get ready this. Try to get that textile handout from JNTO- it is great.
I think taking the time to do these things you are personally interested in makes the trip much more special and personal.
Maybe your husband can post some pictures after you return, like mrwunrfl has done for us!

GTL

emd

I will do a trip report when I get back.
I will try and have my husband post some photos also.

emd

topping for Gargiulo

Elainee

On our three week trip we arrived in Tokyo Oct. 20, 2004. We completly misjudged the weather and brought clothes for much colder weather than we found. In NYC it is always cold for Halloween, NOT in Japan. It was quite warm almost every day including the last week in the Japanese Alps. I wore a cotton short sleeve tee shirt most days. A few times I needed my long sleeve warm weather jacket. It did rain, and you can buy a cheap umbrella almost everywhere in Japan. We lost and bought 3 umbrellas in one day (a record for us). We were told that the weather we had was usual for that time of year. The trees had just started to turn during our time in Kyoto. The temps were mainly in the high 60"s during the day, and slightly cooler at night. Great touring weather!

emd

Elainee, I knwo you broke your arm in Tokyo and figured this probably hampered your plans somewhat. Did you all go beyond Kyoto and Tokyo, or did you concentrate in those areas? I recall you were going to go to Takayama and Shirakawago, did you make it there? If you have any time to post on what you did in Kyoto and vicinity, I'd love to hear it. Did you happen to have a guide in Kyoto like you did in Tokyo? I need to get a guide for at least a half day to accompany us to the Nijo-jin'ya. They require that if you do not speak Japanese you must have a bilingual person w/you. I though to of a Goodwill Guide, but did you happen to have a guide there?