11 ISS

The 11th International Shibori Symposium (11 ISS) spans three regions of Japan, connecting the contemporary art and fashion hub of Tōkyō, traditional shibori and design centers in Nagoya, and rural folk traditions in Yonezawa and Yamagata.

The symposium explores their shared legacies of craft and local industry: 紅花 • 藍 • 絞  – Safflower, Indigo, Shibori.

The symposium’s logo 紅花・藍・絞 (Safflower, Indigo, Shibori) was calligraphed by the late Junichi Arai.

Called a genius in the world of textile design by Jack Lenor Larsen, Junichi ARAI revolutionized ways to design fibers and to interpret and build weave structures for unique textiles using computers. He was a master of incorporating both traditional and technological finishing processes.

We are honored to have received his last piece of calligraphy before his passing in September 2017, and salute his memory through its use to promote this international gathering of artists.

History of ISS

The International Shibori Symposium brings together a diverse group of scholars, artists, and textile enthusiasts to facilitate meaningful exchanges of knowledge, practice, tradition, and innovation.

Founded in 1992 during the first ISS held in Nagoya, Japan, the World Shibori Network (WSN) now holds a symposium every few years in different countries across the globe. Organized in collaboration with local institutions and practitioners, the symposia are comprised of plenary sessions, workshops, excursions, and tours planned specifically to engage both an international audience and the local community of the hosting city.