Origin

This traditional textile shop is located along Prefectural Route 53, the main street running east to west through Mount Koya. The textile known as saiori was developed in 1877 by Yasosuke Maeda in Koyaguchi, a town at the foot of Mount Koya that once flourished as the gateway to the sacred mountain. Its elegant, vibrant colors and exceptionally soft texture have earned acclaim both in Japan and abroad, and saiori has long been known as a “rare and elusive textile.”

Inspired by European chenille weaving, saiori takes its name from the fact that the fabric is literally woven twice. First, pre-dyed yarn is woven into a striped fabric that reflects the original design. The fabric is then cut along the warp threads to create chenille yarn. This chenille yarn is used as the weft to weave the fabric a second time, producing the same pattern as the original design. The finished textile features the same multicolored pattern on both sides.

Housed in a historic row-house-style building, Origin offers a variety of items made from saiori, including bags, scarves, and handkerchiefs. Many are one-of-a-kind pieces available only here. Discover a special piece of this traditional textile as a lasting memento of your visit to Mount Koya.