2020 Shibori Textile Workshop in Japan
USA Organizer: Debra Valencia
Japan Instructor: Bryan Whitehead
Location: Tokyo & Fujino, Japan
Dates: September 21 through October 1, 2020
Maximum Capacity: 10 persons (including organizer)
See photos of the workshops and shibori samples at bottom of this page
Meet Our Instructor:
Bryan Whitehead, expert textile artist and craftsman, is originally from Western Canada and has lived in Japan for over 25 years. He has been farming and processing indigo, rearing silk worms, designing and weaving and has held textile workshops dozens of times with participants from all over the world. He is exceedingly knowledgable and passionate about the Japanese arts and crafts. As a six times participant myself and now trip organizer, I am sure you will find this workshop to be both enjoyable and informative.
Overview:
For textile designers, artists, designers, illustrators, crafters, quilters and anyone interested in Japanese arts! No experience necessary! Everyone will enjoy this creative and intimate experience of Japanese culture, history and its unique arts and crafts. Organized by design educator, Debra Valencia, this intimate workshop provides a magical, once-in-a-lifetime expedition. For just a little more than $340 per day, this all inclusive* workshop abroad is an excellent value.
Our group will spend the first full day with the instructor touring Tokyo and shopping for art & craft supplies and vintage textiles. The next 9 days will be spent in Fujino, a serene tea-growing mountain village outside of Tokyo. The village was designated as one of "The Most Scenic One Hundred Mountain Villages in Japan". Accommodations in double occupancy rooms will be provided in a charming 150-year-old farmhouse. Once unpacked at the farmhouse, we will dive in and swim in the deep blue indigo. You’ll be splashing around in the vats until it is time to re-pack your bags. Hands-on is the best way to know what indigo is about. Each day will start with a talk after breakfast by our expert instructor on a variety of topics such as the Japanese crafts movement, history of the kimono, village life and more. All day workshops include shibori prep, dyeing, stencil making and printing, as well as field trips to local artist studios.
Returning to Tokyo on the afternoon of the last day, you will have a half day of free time for shopping and wandering independently then checking into your Tokyo hotel. Or you will have ample time to catch an early evening flight if you need to return home immediately. Feel free to extend your trip by booking extra nights in Tokyo or traveling to other cities such as Kyoto.
Workshops:
An array of Shibori techniques and indigo dyeing will be covered — from beginning to advanced — including sewing, folding, binding, stencil making and stencil printing — all handmade by participants. For participants who have attended the Shibori workshops in the past, more advanced techniques and independent projects may be pursued so there is no redundancy.
Homework kits will be mailed to each participant so that designs and fabric preparation may be completed months in advance. All essential tools and an abundance of materials are included in all workshops. Participants may want to purchase special fabrics, art supplies and textiles on the first day in Tokyo, however, these purchases are optional.
Accommodations:
The farmhouse has five newly remodeled bedrooms on the upper level sleeping two persons per room in single twin beds. Double occupancy is required due to limited space. The shared bathrooms include two standard showers, a traditional Japanese bathhouse and 3 Western style toilets. Free wi-fi is provided.
Food:
The large farmhouse kitchen is open all day and night and well stocked with beverages and snacks. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served family style and all included. A variety of foods will be served to accommodate those on special diets. Continental style breakfasts include eggs, breads, cereal, fruit, yogurt, cheese, juice, coffee and tea. Japanese lunches and dinners will vary daily and range from noodles, bbq, chicken, seafood, salads, soups and more (no sushi). A few meals will be eaten out at restaurants during field trips (see cost estimate below).
Cost:
375,000 YEN per person
Approximately $340 per day all inclusive fee* with workshops and expert instructor is an incredible deal! Japan has been one of the most expensive countries to visit in the past and recently prices are at a 30 year low.
Exchange rate as of today's (1/27/20) publication:
There may be a slight increase/decrease in the $US or other currency to Japanese yen between now and travel dates.
1 USD = 108.97 JPY
$3,441.38 = 375,000 JPY
Includes:
*Excludes:
Suggested travel expenses are based on average spent on six similar trips I took to Japan in 2015 through 2019.
Airfare:
Airfare from country of origin to Japan is excluded.
For budgeting purposes and comparison, the airfare is currently running about $750 to $900 round trip/nonstop from Los Angeles to Tokyo. The fares have remained consistent over the last 5 years since I have been attending these workshops.
Fees:
200,000 yen deposit due upon reservation
175,000 yen balance due April 1, 2020
Payable via PayPal directly to instructor (instructions to be provided upon registration)
As organizer, Debra will coordinate all reservations, payments, travel itineraries, emergency contacts, etc. to keep everything as simplified as possible for our instructor in Japan.
Payment Terms:
Deposits are fully refundable up to April 1, 2020
Deposits are refundable after April 1st if the spot can be filled by someone on waiting list. I will keep a waiting list to fill spots for anyone needing to cancel. We recommend purchasing private travel insurance if you are concerned with the possibility of cancelling your trip.
Pre-Trip Get-Together:
I will host a get-together several months prior to the trip for participants based in Los Angeles. I will demonstrate the homework preparation which includes sewing fabric pieces, designing motifs and cutting stencils. For those not based in Los Angeles, you may join the get-together via Skype. Homework materials will be mailed in advance to each participant. I have also made some demo videos about how to prep the homework which you may watch on my YouTube channel.
Japan Instructor: Bryan Whitehead
Location: Tokyo & Fujino, Japan
Dates: September 21 through October 1, 2020
Maximum Capacity: 10 persons (including organizer)
See photos of the workshops and shibori samples at bottom of this page
Meet Our Instructor:
Bryan Whitehead, expert textile artist and craftsman, is originally from Western Canada and has lived in Japan for over 25 years. He has been farming and processing indigo, rearing silk worms, designing and weaving and has held textile workshops dozens of times with participants from all over the world. He is exceedingly knowledgable and passionate about the Japanese arts and crafts. As a six times participant myself and now trip organizer, I am sure you will find this workshop to be both enjoyable and informative.
Overview:
For textile designers, artists, designers, illustrators, crafters, quilters and anyone interested in Japanese arts! No experience necessary! Everyone will enjoy this creative and intimate experience of Japanese culture, history and its unique arts and crafts. Organized by design educator, Debra Valencia, this intimate workshop provides a magical, once-in-a-lifetime expedition. For just a little more than $340 per day, this all inclusive* workshop abroad is an excellent value.
Our group will spend the first full day with the instructor touring Tokyo and shopping for art & craft supplies and vintage textiles. The next 9 days will be spent in Fujino, a serene tea-growing mountain village outside of Tokyo. The village was designated as one of "The Most Scenic One Hundred Mountain Villages in Japan". Accommodations in double occupancy rooms will be provided in a charming 150-year-old farmhouse. Once unpacked at the farmhouse, we will dive in and swim in the deep blue indigo. You’ll be splashing around in the vats until it is time to re-pack your bags. Hands-on is the best way to know what indigo is about. Each day will start with a talk after breakfast by our expert instructor on a variety of topics such as the Japanese crafts movement, history of the kimono, village life and more. All day workshops include shibori prep, dyeing, stencil making and printing, as well as field trips to local artist studios.
Returning to Tokyo on the afternoon of the last day, you will have a half day of free time for shopping and wandering independently then checking into your Tokyo hotel. Or you will have ample time to catch an early evening flight if you need to return home immediately. Feel free to extend your trip by booking extra nights in Tokyo or traveling to other cities such as Kyoto.
Workshops:
An array of Shibori techniques and indigo dyeing will be covered — from beginning to advanced — including sewing, folding, binding, stencil making and stencil printing — all handmade by participants. For participants who have attended the Shibori workshops in the past, more advanced techniques and independent projects may be pursued so there is no redundancy.
Homework kits will be mailed to each participant so that designs and fabric preparation may be completed months in advance. All essential tools and an abundance of materials are included in all workshops. Participants may want to purchase special fabrics, art supplies and textiles on the first day in Tokyo, however, these purchases are optional.
Accommodations:
The farmhouse has five newly remodeled bedrooms on the upper level sleeping two persons per room in single twin beds. Double occupancy is required due to limited space. The shared bathrooms include two standard showers, a traditional Japanese bathhouse and 3 Western style toilets. Free wi-fi is provided.
Food:
The large farmhouse kitchen is open all day and night and well stocked with beverages and snacks. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served family style and all included. A variety of foods will be served to accommodate those on special diets. Continental style breakfasts include eggs, breads, cereal, fruit, yogurt, cheese, juice, coffee and tea. Japanese lunches and dinners will vary daily and range from noodles, bbq, chicken, seafood, salads, soups and more (no sushi). A few meals will be eaten out at restaurants during field trips (see cost estimate below).
Cost:
375,000 YEN per person
Approximately $340 per day all inclusive fee* with workshops and expert instructor is an incredible deal! Japan has been one of the most expensive countries to visit in the past and recently prices are at a 30 year low.
Exchange rate as of today's (1/27/20) publication:
There may be a slight increase/decrease in the $US or other currency to Japanese yen between now and travel dates.
1 USD = 108.97 JPY
$3,441.38 = 375,000 JPY
Includes:
- 10 nights farmhouse (double occupancy, twin beds)
- All meals during 10 day workshop (most meals served at farmhouse with some restaurant meals on field trip days)
- Ground transportation to/from Tokyo/Fujino and during day field trips
- Shibori materials, tools, fabrics
- All workshops and lessons
- Field trip entrance fees
*Excludes:
Suggested travel expenses are based on average spent on six similar trips I took to Japan in 2015 through 2019.
- Airfare from Los Angeles, CA USA (or your home city) to Narita Airport, Tokyo, Japan (Approx. $750 to $900 R/T)
- Ground transportation from airport to hotel via Narita Express Train to Shinjiku (Approx. $32 each way)
- Meals on travel days to/from Japan
- Hotel in Tokyo (Approx. $125/night double occupancy; a list of recommended hotels will be provided)
- Two or three meals at restaurants during field trips in Tokyo (Approx. $15 lunch, $25 dinner)
- Subway fare in Tokyo (Approx. $5 to $10 per day)
- Optional snacks/beverages during field trips and outings (Optional approx. $5 to $10 per day)
- Alcoholic beverages (Optional approx. $5 to $10 average per drink)
- Personal sundries/shopping
- Art supplies, textiles, papers
Airfare:
Airfare from country of origin to Japan is excluded.
For budgeting purposes and comparison, the airfare is currently running about $750 to $900 round trip/nonstop from Los Angeles to Tokyo. The fares have remained consistent over the last 5 years since I have been attending these workshops.
Fees:
200,000 yen deposit due upon reservation
175,000 yen balance due April 1, 2020
Payable via PayPal directly to instructor (instructions to be provided upon registration)
As organizer, Debra will coordinate all reservations, payments, travel itineraries, emergency contacts, etc. to keep everything as simplified as possible for our instructor in Japan.
Payment Terms:
Deposits are fully refundable up to April 1, 2020
Deposits are refundable after April 1st if the spot can be filled by someone on waiting list. I will keep a waiting list to fill spots for anyone needing to cancel. We recommend purchasing private travel insurance if you are concerned with the possibility of cancelling your trip.
Pre-Trip Get-Together:
I will host a get-together several months prior to the trip for participants based in Los Angeles. I will demonstrate the homework preparation which includes sewing fabric pieces, designing motifs and cutting stencils. For those not based in Los Angeles, you may join the get-together via Skype. Homework materials will be mailed in advance to each participant. I have also made some demo videos about how to prep the homework which you may watch on my YouTube channel.
Itinerary
Travel to Japan:
Day 1: Monday, September 21, 2020 (Guide: Bryan)
Day 2 to Day 9: Tuesday, September 22 to Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Day 10: Thursday, October 1, 2020 (Last Day & End of Workshop)
Extended Stay
Anyone wishing to stay on in Tokyo or to continue to a new destination in or out of Japan on their own is welcome to do so. I can provide suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping and trips.
For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact:
Debra Valencia
debravalencia@gmail.com
310-266-1577
- Fly to Tokyo to arrive at least one day in advance (Sunday, September 20, 2020)
- Arrive Japan in early evening; Take Narita Express train to Shinjuku Station
- Check in to hotel; Dinner with Debra if you are staying in the Shinjuku area
Day 1: Monday, September 21, 2020 (Guide: Bryan)
- Meet our guide & instructor, Bryan Whitehead, 10am in 20th floor lobby of Hotel Century Southern Tower in Shinjuku district of Tokyo
- Full day in Tokyo with Bryan; visit shops for vintage textiles, bookbinding, paper, art supplies and more
- Transportation to Fujino provided
- Settle into rooms, welcome dinner; fire is waiting outside for a few drinks and chat before bedtime
Day 2 to Day 9: Tuesday, September 22 to Wednesday, September 30, 2020
- Bryan will check the Shibori and stencil homework completed in advance
- Shibori workshops: All days, nonstop morning 'til night
- Approximate project breakdown:
- Shibori Workshops: Fabric dyeing and stencil printing
- Cultural Lessons: A variety of cultural lessons will be included, depending on availability and weather, such as Japanese flower arranging, traditional tea ceremony, soba noodle making demonstration, daily lectures on Japanese arts and crafts
- Field Trips: A variety of field trips will be included, depending on availability and weather, such as tours of local artist studios, craft museum, kimono printing and papermaking studios, art supply stores, vintage textile shops, light hikes in the mountain village to see view of of Mt. Fuji
- Food: All meals at farmhouse or local restaurants
Day 10: Thursday, October 1, 2020 (Last Day & End of Workshop)
- Enjoy breakfast at the farmhouse
- Spend an optional half day at the farmhouse finishing last minute details on projects
- Transportation to Tokyo provided
- Anyone needing to catch a flight may leave early or mid morning on train to Narita airport
Extended Stay
Anyone wishing to stay on in Tokyo or to continue to a new destination in or out of Japan on their own is welcome to do so. I can provide suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping and trips.
For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact:
Debra Valencia
debravalencia@gmail.com
310-266-1577
Workshop Photos
See the 11 links below from Welcome to the Farmhouse to Old Tokyo for photos from Debra's shibori workshop in Japan.
Welcome to the Farmhouse | Our First Day | Indigo | Stencils | Field Trip 1 | Food/Social | Culture | Projects | Field Trip 2 | Modern Tokyo | Old Tokyo