Shibori Textile Workshop in Japan: September 25 through October 5, 2023 SOLD OUT!
Contact me via the contact page to get on the 2024 announcement list
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Finally after a 3 year hiatus due to Covid the annual Shibori workshop is finally on!!! This workshop is usually sold out in a few days so don't hesitate too long if you want to attend!
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USA Organizer: Debra Valencia
Japan Instructor: Bryan Whitehead Location: Tokyo & Fujino, Japan Dates: Monday, September 25 through Thursday, October 5, 2023 Maximum Capacity: 12 persons (including organizer) |
Shibori Workshop Photos
See the 11 links below from "Welcome to the Farmhouse" to "Old Tokyo" of photos organized by category from Debra's shibori workshop in Japan from 2015.
Welcome to the Farmhouse | Our First Day | Indigo | Stencils | Field Trip 1 | Food/Social | Culture | Projects | Field Trip 2 | Modern Tokyo | Old Tokyo
Here are additional photos from Shibori workshop in 2016 which also included an extra 4 day excursion to Kyoto. This will give you an idea of the various groups and variety of activities. I have 1000s of photos from the other workshops but have not had a chance to post them all! Click here to see the 2016 photo gallery.
Shibori Samples
Examples of Stencils, Mokume, Clamping/Rope Wrap and Shibori products on the market
Click here for project samples
Meet Our Instructor:
Bryan Whitehead, expert textile artist and craftsman, is originally from Western Canada and has lived in Japan for over 30 years and fluent in Japanese. He has been farming and processing indigo, rearing silk worms, designing and weaving and has held textile workshops dozens of times over 10 year 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 artists/designers, fine artists, interior designers, fashion 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. It's like summer camp for artists at a B&B in the beautiful countryside in rural Japan. We have had participants all ages, from 20 to 85+ years old, from all corners of the world. Friendships develop organically and we have had many return visitors.
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, with hiking trails and a view of Mt, Fuji on a clear day. 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 170-year-old farmhouse much like a B&B. 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, markets and museums.
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. You are welcome to bring a small quantity of fabric or items from home to dye at the workshop.
Accommodations:
The farmhouse has six remodeled bedrooms on the upper level sleeping two persons per room in single twin beds. Double occupancy is required due to limited space. There are stairs necessary to use to access the 3rd floor bedrooms so please keep this in mind. 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 — particularly vegetarian diets are easily accommodated. 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:
$3,500 USD per person (2023 price)
The $350 per day all inclusive fee* with workshops, materials, meals, accommodations and expert instructor is an incredible deal! Japan has been one of the most expensive countries to visit in the past and now we have an advantage with the strong USD dollar. For just $350 per day, this all inclusive* workshop abroad is an excellent value.
Includes:
*Excludes:
Suggested travel expenses are based on average spent on similar trips I took to Japan in 2015 through 2019.
Airfare:
Airfare from country of origin to Japan is excluded.
Fees:
$2,000 USD deposit due upon reservation
$1,500 USD balance due June 1, 2023
Payable via PayPal directly to instructor (instructions to be provided upon registration)
Payment Terms:
Deposits are fully refundable within 30 days of initial reservation.
Deposits are not refundable after 30 days. Balance payments are not refundable for any reason. We are requiring participants to buy travel insurance to cover reimbursement of your workshop fee and airfare in case you need to cancel.
Covid Requirements:
Japan is one of the last country to open to tourism so they take Covid prevention very seriously. Therefore, we are requiring all participants provide proof of full vaccination at the time of registration. We are also asking all participants to bring a minimum of two Covid rapid tests for their own use as they are very expensive in Japan. We cannot place this burden on our host when they are easily available in our home country.
Travel Insurance:
We require purchasing private travel insurance in case you need to cancel your trip or need medical treatment while in Japan. Your travel insurance must cover your workshop fee, airfare and medical expenses. These policies are very common and I can provide a list of reputable companies. Policies are also available through travel agents, travel websites such as Expedia and Travelocity as well as some airlines.
Communication & FAQs:
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. All communications should go through Debra. I can provide suggested hotels, travel insurance sources, help with materials prep and more.
Bryan Whitehead, expert textile artist and craftsman, is originally from Western Canada and has lived in Japan for over 30 years and fluent in Japanese. He has been farming and processing indigo, rearing silk worms, designing and weaving and has held textile workshops dozens of times over 10 year 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 artists/designers, fine artists, interior designers, fashion 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. It's like summer camp for artists at a B&B in the beautiful countryside in rural Japan. We have had participants all ages, from 20 to 85+ years old, from all corners of the world. Friendships develop organically and we have had many return visitors.
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, with hiking trails and a view of Mt, Fuji on a clear day. 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 170-year-old farmhouse much like a B&B. 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, markets and museums.
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. You are welcome to bring a small quantity of fabric or items from home to dye at the workshop.
Accommodations:
The farmhouse has six remodeled bedrooms on the upper level sleeping two persons per room in single twin beds. Double occupancy is required due to limited space. There are stairs necessary to use to access the 3rd floor bedrooms so please keep this in mind. 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 — particularly vegetarian diets are easily accommodated. 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:
$3,500 USD per person (2023 price)
The $350 per day all inclusive fee* with workshops, materials, meals, accommodations and expert instructor is an incredible deal! Japan has been one of the most expensive countries to visit in the past and now we have an advantage with the strong USD dollar. For just $350 per day, this all inclusive* workshop abroad is an excellent value.
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 similar trips I took to Japan in 2015 through 2019.
- Airfare from your home city to Narita Airport or Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan (varies)
- Ground transportation from airport to your hotel (Approx. $35 each way)
- Individual meals on travel days to/from Japan
- Hotel in Tokyo (Approx. $200/night double occupancy; a list of recommended hotels will be provided; AirBB also available)
- Three or four 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
- Optional art supplies, textiles, papers
Airfare:
Airfare from country of origin to Japan is excluded.
Fees:
$2,000 USD deposit due upon reservation
$1,500 USD balance due June 1, 2023
Payable via PayPal directly to instructor (instructions to be provided upon registration)
Payment Terms:
Deposits are fully refundable within 30 days of initial reservation.
Deposits are not refundable after 30 days. Balance payments are not refundable for any reason. We are requiring participants to buy travel insurance to cover reimbursement of your workshop fee and airfare in case you need to cancel.
Covid Requirements:
Japan is one of the last country to open to tourism so they take Covid prevention very seriously. Therefore, we are requiring all participants provide proof of full vaccination at the time of registration. We are also asking all participants to bring a minimum of two Covid rapid tests for their own use as they are very expensive in Japan. We cannot place this burden on our host when they are easily available in our home country.
Travel Insurance:
We require purchasing private travel insurance in case you need to cancel your trip or need medical treatment while in Japan. Your travel insurance must cover your workshop fee, airfare and medical expenses. These policies are very common and I can provide a list of reputable companies. Policies are also available through travel agents, travel websites such as Expedia and Travelocity as well as some airlines.
Communication & FAQs:
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. All communications should go through Debra. I can provide suggested hotels, travel insurance sources, help with materials prep and more.
Itinerary
Travel to Japan:
Day 1: Monday (Guide: Bryan)
Day 2 to Day 9:
Day 10: Thursday (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. Bryan and I can provide suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping and trips.
For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact me via the form on my website contact page.
- Fly to Tokyo to arrive at least one day in advance
- Arrive Japan in early evening; Take train to Shinjuku Station
- Check in to hotel; Optional dinner with Debra if you are staying in the Shinjuku area
Day 1: Monday (Guide: Bryan)
- Meet our guide & instructor, Bryan Whitehead, 10am in 20th floor lobby of Hotel Century Southern Tower in Shinjuku plaza in Tokyo
- Full day in Tokyo with Bryan; visit shops for vintage textiles, bookbinding, paper, art supplies and more
- Your luggage will be transported to the farmhouse by Bryan's staff
- Be sure to bring a day pack of what you need for the day in Tokyo (medications, jacket or wrap, sunglasses, umbrella, etc.)
- Transportation by train to Fujino is provided
- Arrive early evening, settle into rooms, welcome dinner; fire is waiting outside for a few drinks and chat before bedtime
Day 2 to Day 9:
- Bryan will start with a lecture after breakfast to kick off the day
- Bryan will check the Shibori and stencil homework completed in advance
- Shibori lessons will be demonstrated daily, 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, art supply stores, vintage textile shops, light hikes in the mountain village to see view of of Mt. Fuji
- Food: Most meals provided at farmhouse and 3 to 4 at local restaurants
Day 10: Thursday (Last Day & End of Workshop)
- Enjoy breakfast at the farmhouse
- Spend an optional half day at the farmhouse finishing last minute details on projects
- Packing, hugs, many good byes, photos
- Transportation to Tokyo provided in workshop cost
- Anyone needing to catch an afternoon flight may leave early or mid morning on train to either Tokyo 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. Bryan and I can provide suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping and trips.
For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact me via the form on my website contact page.