2018 Shibori Textile & Bookbinding Workshop in Japan
USA Organizer: Debra Valencia
Japan Instructor: Bryan Whitehead
Location: Tokyo & Fujino, Japan
Dates: September 24 to October 4, 2018
Maximum Capacity: 10 persons (including organizer)
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 for 20 years 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 4 times participant 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 and anyone interested in Japanese arts! 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 private workshop provides a magical, once-in-a-lifetime expedition. For just a little more than $300 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 supplies, paper and vintage textiles. The next 10 days/nights 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 farmhouse. Once unpacked at the farmhouse, we will dive in and swim in the deep purple 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 an after breakfast talk by our expert instructor on a variety of topics such as the Japanese craft movement, history of the kimono, village life and more. All day workshops include shibori dying, stencil making and printing, bookbinding and box making, as well as field trips to local artist studios.
Returning to Tokyo on the 11th 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 afternoon flight if you need to return home immediately.
Workshops:
An array of Shibori techniques and indigo dyeing will be covered — from beginning to advanced — including stencil making and stencil printing. Japanese bookbinding and box making projects will be completed with paper, textiles and stencil prints created in the course — 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 sewing may be completed months in advance. All essential materials are included for all workshops. Participants may want to purchase special papers, art supplies and textiles on the first day in Tokyo. However, these purchases are optional.
Accommodations:
The 150-year-old farmhouse has five newly remodeled bedrooms sleeping two persons per room in single twin futon 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. 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. 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 including a special dinner and casual meals during field trips.
Cost:
350,000 YEN per person
Approximately $300 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 (1/3/17) publication:
1 USD = 112.75 JPY
$3,104.21 = 350,000 JPY
Includes:
*Excludes:
Suggested travel expenses are based on average spent on similar trips October 2015, 2016 and 2017. There may be a slight increase/decrease in the $US or other currency to Japanese yen between now and travel dates.
Airfare:
Airfare from country of origin to Japan is excluded.
For budgeting purposes and comparison, the airfare in October 2016 was $930 round trip/nonstop on Singapore Airlines, Los Angeles/Tokyo. Some workshop participants paid under $700 round trip/nonstop on United Airlines, Los Angeles/Tokyo. For the same flight in October 2017, the fare was $820 from Los Angeles/Tokyo on United Airlines.
Fees:
200,000 yen deposit due upon reservation
150,000 yen balance due April 1, 2018
Payable via PayPal (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, 2018
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.
Pre-Trip Get-Together:
Debra will host a get-together several months prior to the trip for participants based in Los Angeles. She 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.
Japan Instructor: Bryan Whitehead
Location: Tokyo & Fujino, Japan
Dates: September 24 to October 4, 2018
Maximum Capacity: 10 persons (including organizer)
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 for 20 years 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 4 times participant 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 and anyone interested in Japanese arts! 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 private workshop provides a magical, once-in-a-lifetime expedition. For just a little more than $300 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 supplies, paper and vintage textiles. The next 10 days/nights 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 farmhouse. Once unpacked at the farmhouse, we will dive in and swim in the deep purple 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 an after breakfast talk by our expert instructor on a variety of topics such as the Japanese craft movement, history of the kimono, village life and more. All day workshops include shibori dying, stencil making and printing, bookbinding and box making, as well as field trips to local artist studios.
Returning to Tokyo on the 11th 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 afternoon flight if you need to return home immediately.
Workshops:
An array of Shibori techniques and indigo dyeing will be covered — from beginning to advanced — including stencil making and stencil printing. Japanese bookbinding and box making projects will be completed with paper, textiles and stencil prints created in the course — 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 sewing may be completed months in advance. All essential materials are included for all workshops. Participants may want to purchase special papers, art supplies and textiles on the first day in Tokyo. However, these purchases are optional.
Accommodations:
The 150-year-old farmhouse has five newly remodeled bedrooms sleeping two persons per room in single twin futon 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. 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. 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 including a special dinner and casual meals during field trips.
Cost:
350,000 YEN per person
Approximately $300 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 (1/3/17) publication:
1 USD = 112.75 JPY
$3,104.21 = 350,000 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 Fujino and for field trips
- Shibori and bookbinding materials
- All workshops
- Field trip fees
*Excludes:
Suggested travel expenses are based on average spent on similar trips October 2015, 2016 and 2017. There may be a slight increase/decrease in the $US or other currency to Japanese yen between now and travel dates.
- Airfare from Los Angeles, CA USA to Narita Airport, Tokyo, Japan ($700 to $1,100 round trip; fares will vary depending on city and country of origin)
- Ground transportation from airport to hotel via Narita Express Train to Shinjiku (Approx. $32 each way)
- Meals on travel days to/from Japan; Optional TBD
- Hotel in Tokyo (Approx. $125/night double occupancy; a list of recommended hotels will be provided)
- Meals on all days in Tokyo (Approx. $10 breakfast, $15 lunch, $25 dinner)
- Subway fare all days in Tokyo (Approx. $5 to $10 per day)
- Optional snacks/beverages during field trips and outings (Approx. $5 to $10 per day)
- Alcoholic beverages (Optional approx. $5 to $10 average per drink)
- Personal sundries/shopping; Optional TBD
- Art supplies, textiles, papers; Optional TBD
Airfare:
Airfare from country of origin to Japan is excluded.
For budgeting purposes and comparison, the airfare in October 2016 was $930 round trip/nonstop on Singapore Airlines, Los Angeles/Tokyo. Some workshop participants paid under $700 round trip/nonstop on United Airlines, Los Angeles/Tokyo. For the same flight in October 2017, the fare was $820 from Los Angeles/Tokyo on United Airlines.
Fees:
200,000 yen deposit due upon reservation
150,000 yen balance due April 1, 2018
Payable via PayPal (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, 2018
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.
Pre-Trip Get-Together:
Debra will host a get-together several months prior to the trip for participants based in Los Angeles. She 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.
Itinerary
Travel to Japan:
Fly to Tokyo to arrive at least one day in advance
Arrive Japan in early evening on September 23; 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 24, 2018 (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 10: Tuesday, September 25 to Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Bryan will check the Shibori and stencil homework completed in advance
Shibori and Bookmaking Workshops: All days, nonstop morning 'til night
Approximate project breakdown:
Day 11: Thursday, October 4, 2018 (Bonus Day & End of Workshop)
Enjoy final 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 airport
Sayonara Bryan!
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. Debra can provide suggestions on 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
Arrive Japan in early evening on September 23; 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 24, 2018 (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 10: Tuesday, September 25 to Wednesday, October 3, 2018
Bryan will check the Shibori and stencil homework completed in advance
Shibori and Bookmaking Workshops: All days, nonstop morning 'til night
Approximate project breakdown:
- Shibori: Six days of Shibori dyeing and stencil printing
- Bookbinding: Four days of bookbinding and box making with shibori textiles and variety of papers
- 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 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, antique book district, 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 11: Thursday, October 4, 2018 (Bonus Day & End of Workshop)
Enjoy final 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 airport
Sayonara Bryan!
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. Debra can provide suggestions on additional sightseeing, shopping and trips.
For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact:
Debra Valencia
debravalencia@gmail.com
310-266-1577
Photos of Past Workshops
2015 Workshop
See the 11 links below from Welcome to the Farmhouse to Old Tokyo for photos from Debra's 2015 shibori workshop in Japan. More photos will be posted soon of the 2016 workshop as well as sample bookbinding projects planned for 2017.
Welcome to the Farmhouse | Our First Day | Indigo | Stencils | Field Trip 1 | Food/Social | Culture | Projects | Field Trip 2 | Modern Tokyo | Old Tokyo