Aizome Studio | suzanne connors

Northern Japan Textile Retreat

• Tokyo: Contemporary craft districts and artisan studios. Workshop at Aikuma Dye Shop, Antique Market
• Kamakura: Coastal craft town blending history, art, and textiles.
• Takayama: Learn sashiko, the traditional Japanese running stitch used for both function and beauty. In this historic mountain town, discover how a humble repair technique became a celebrated art form.
• Kanazawa: Experience Kaga Yuzen, the refined hand-painted silk dyeing tradition, and explore workshops dedicated to natural dyeing, where color is drawn from plants, roots, and minerals.
• Kyoto: Ancient temples and hands-on workshops with textile masters.
• Arimatsu: Explore the birthplace of shibori, Japan’s famous tie-dye tradition.
• Ise Katagami: Discover Ise-katagami, the centuries-old art of stencil cutting for katazome, where artisans hand-carve intricate patterns into mulberry paper, used to decorate silk and cotton textiles. Experience a tradition that is both delicate and powerful, and try your hand at this timeless craft. Shiroko village- Suzuka City.

👥 Who Should Apply?

This is a small, intimate group experience, open only to:

• Former Aya Fiber Studio students, OR
• Those planning to spend at least one week with me in the studio before the trip
  All applicants will be interviewed to ensure the group dynamic stays positive, open, and drama-free. This is essential to preserving the joyful spirit of our journey—no “Debbie Downers,” please! ✨

📅 Important Dates:

• Nonrefundable deposit ($700) secures your spot
• Final payment due 60 days before departure: March 2027
• Final cost may adjust based on 2027 exchange rates and inflation