Sacrament Meeting at the Shimogamo Ward, Nishijin Textile Center and Kimono Experience, Shopping Trip at Kyoto Station

Kimono Experience at the Nishijin Textile Center

Sunday, November 23rd

Alan and I started off our morning attending the Shimogamo Ward Sacrament meeting in northern Kyoto. It was close by the Kamigamo Shrine and the Forest of Truth, which Alan visited by himself on Sunday, November 16th. Deidre had wanted to join us this Sunday, so she could practice her Japanese with ward members, who were so friendly, but she didn't have the energy. We met four sister missionaries, one of whom was Sister Bodily from Boise, and four elders. Sariah, a member who sat with us on our bench, was a Taiwanese convert to the church and had lived in Japan for the last 10 years, and she spoke English fluently. She told us that 2025 has been a wonderful year for converts in Kyoto; they are experiencing a surge in baptisms, hence the increased number of missionaries in their ward. 

Weaving Demonstration

From the church building, we headed south to a park bench and ate our lunch there, along with many other people sitting and eating their lunches on plastic mats on the ground. We then found a bus stop on the main road, Imadegawa Dori, and took the bus two miles west to the Nishijin Textile Center.

The jacquard loom demonstration. Look at the bundle of cards hanging off to the left of the loom. They are like computer punch cards that tell the loom which weft threads to lift, to make the jacquard pattern. 

The Nishijin Textile Center preserves the legacy of Nishijin silk weaving, a craft with over 1,200 years of history in Kyoto, famous for luxurious silk textiles like kimono fabrics and Noh theater costumes.

Miniature model of the early Jacquard Machine that changed the silk industry. The punch cards are facing the front. 

Historically, weavers began to gather to Kyoto (called Heian-kyo) and settled near the Imperial Palace in the 8th century to produce silk fabrics for nobility. During a civil war (Onin war 1467-1477) the weavers moved west away from the capital, Nishi-jin means "western territory" and established the silk district. 

This silk district thrived during the Edo period (1603-1868), with thousands of looms producing rich fabrics for nobility and clergy. During the Meiji period (1868-1912), when the capital moved to Tokyo, Nishijin weavers adopted European technology, including the jacquard loom, to modernize and produce both luxury and mass-market textiles.

Ancient painting of weavers, with a second person on top of loom to lift the weft threads to create a pattern. 

The Textile Center has demonstrations of silk weaving, craft classes, a museum with exhibits about the silk industry and the best store for selling high-end kimonos, silk fabric, ties, purses, etc. It also has the best collection of made-in-Japan tee-shirts, toys and memorabilia. This was where I purchased most of my souvenirs. Their daily Kimono fashion show was canceled for this day, which was a disappointment to me. 

I signed up for a children's craft class and made a kaleidoscope with a teacher who walked me through all the steps. I got to pick a beautiful turquoise piece of silk for the outside of the tube. I love looking through it!

The kaleidoscope I made in Japan.

The other experience we signed up for was to be dressed in Kimonos by the museum expert. We chose the casual category, with the choice of staying indoors at the museum, rather than walking about outside. It was an enlightening experience, seeing how many layers go into dressing up kimono-style. They also offer the Junihitoe experience, which is the 12-layer ceremonial kimono worn by courtiers!

Alan being dressed by the expert at the museum.

Another step before the sash is added.

Sash was wrapped around three times!

Alan thought the kimono was very comfortable, but hated the sandals!

Penni's turn, first the under-layer, a muslin surplice top and wrap skirt, to protect the kimono. 

Girdle next! Cinched tight!

Properly wrapping the kimono.

Many steps to fitting the obi belt. 

Tying the Obi in place.

Finished!

We were allowed to walk all around the museum and store until we were ready to leave. Unfortunately, no photos were allowed in the museum or store! We viewed so many beautiful kimonos and Noh costumes!

Twenty minutes to dress, one minute to undo it all! I was surprised at how many layers were involved!

Shopping trip to Kyoto Station and the Isetan Department Store. Sitting in the rooftop garden.

We took the subway home to Nijo station and went to get Deidre for one last shopping trip at Isetan Department Store in Kyoto station. She hadn't seen the light show on the stairway yet.

The stair light show in Kyoto Station.

Alan on 4th floor of Kyoto Station, where the stair light show begins. 

Coming down to the main floor level to catch our train back to Nijo station.

This was our last evening in Kyoto. It has been a marvelous trip and everything that Deidre hoped it would be. 

Our return journey was a 6 a.m. departure, Monday, November 24th, from our hotel to the bus stop outside of Nijo station, to ride one hour to the Itami airport in Osaka. From there, we took a domestic flight to Haneda airport in Tokyo (1 1/2 hours), to make a connecting international flight to Seattle (8 hours). In Seattle, we connected to Spokane (1 hour, 15 minutes) and came home to Liberty Lake by the city bus. Jason picked us up about 1 p.m. Monday, November 24th, from the park and ride, to our home. Including all of the layovers, we had been awake for about 30 hours straight, but it looked like it only took us 6 hours to get home. We lost a day going to Japan and gained a day coming back! The jet lag was brutal, but worth it!