Kurashiki Notting Chair Mat J

Kurashiki Notting for cold wooden chairs.

80 years ago, Mr. Sotomura developed the "Kurashiki Notting" chair mat. Its durable and efficient construction means it can be used for 50 years, or even a lifetime if well-maintained. Placed on a cold wooden chair in winter, it protects your bottom from the chill.

Kurashiki Notting was created when sitting on the floor was still the norm in Japan. It was born with an eye to a future where chairs would be used in daily life. Because the weft is wool, it has a thick finish, making it comfortable to sit on and perpetually popular. It's an item you'll want to cherish and use for a long time.







Wool has strong resilience, so it won't flatten.

In addition, it's warm. Like a rug, it's woven very tightly and firmly, so it takes years for it to become supple.

Even after about 10 years of use, it still looks close to new, and it won't show wear unless it's sat on for even longer.





Kurashiki Notting is a chair mat that has been produced for 80 years using the hand-weaving loom and designs conceived by Kichinosuke Sotomura, the first director of the Kurashiki Folk Craft Museum.

The Kurashiki Hand-Dyed Hand-Woven Research Institute was established in 1956 as part of the Mingei (Folk Craft) Movement.
It teaches hand-weaving, spinning, dyeing, etc., and creates healthy, unpretentious, beautiful objects that work in daily life. Kurashiki Notting is one such item. It is woven by tying wool threads one by one to the warp threads. It is warm, durable, and will serve you for a long time.

The individuality of the user is welcome, but the individuality of the maker is not needed.

Kurashiki Notting can be called the culmination of Kichinosuke Sotomura's philosophy of craftsmanship. Its timeless appeal, loved through changing eras, has been supported by the makers' intention, passed down carefully from generation to generation.




Back side.




Cotton threads are stretched as warp, and wool threads are tied and cut one by one by hand.






It fits perfectly on the seat of a Wishbone chair. Also prevents soiling of the paper cord.

Toz Fringe Scarf - Kurashisha Special Order Colors!

・Macadam ・Chocolate

This expressive scarf features fringes on three sides and the selvedge of the fabric on one side. It is the largest size among fog's scarves.






With its generous width, it can be used as a lap blanket, a table runner, or a multi-purpose cloth.
It's also an item that can serve as a finishing touch for a monochromatic outfit or as a focal point.






Its ample size means it can be draped gently around your shoulders or over your knees, not just around your neck.






In autumn and winter, you can wrap it snugly for warmth. It's lightweight, so it won't strain your shoulders, and when not in use, it takes up little space when stored in your bag. In spring and summer, it's great for sun protection or as a countermeasure against air conditioning. It's a versatile item that's active throughout the seasons!






At W 73 × L 168 cm, it's a large stole. The linen stole is easy to wrap and style in various ways.

Macadam

Macadam is one of the most popular colors in the fog linen work lineup, loved year-round as a classic.

Macadam is a "chic blue-gray" that gives a deep, subdued impression.

The blue gives a sophisticated and cool impression without being too heavy.
The gray tones down the color, creating a dullness and depth characteristic of high-quality linen.









Chocolate

Chocolate is one of the basic colors that harmonizes with the natural texture of linen fabric, giving a sense of warmth and tranquility.

As the name suggests, Chocolate is a "dark brown with depth and warmth."

Brown is an earth color reminiscent of soil and trees, and it pairs very well with the rustic texture of linen.
The depth of the dark tone, a deep shade close to black, gives a chic and calm impression, bringing peace and comfort.







　 　 　 　

Just as the cormorant fishing baskets used in Nagara River and Oze cormorant fishing are representative, traditional livelihoods have been passed down in Mino, and alongside them, tools such as bamboo baskets made locally are still used today.


[NPO Greenwood Work Association Bamboo Department]

The NPO "Greenwood Work Association Bamboo Department," which produced this bamboo basket, is engaged in "experience workshops," "bamboo forest maintenance," "research and study," "custom production," and "bamboo craft classes" with the aim of passing down and popularizing bamboo craft techniques.

The experience workshops range from 2-3 hour sessions to experience bamboo weaving, to full-fledged programs lasting 2-3 days that cover all steps from splitting green bamboo to making bamboo strips. They also offer on-site workshops.
In addition, they carry out activities such as bamboo forest maintenance to grow good bamboo material suitable for bamboo crafts, research and study of traditional bamboo craft products mainly in the Mino region, and custom production of bamboo baskets for traditional fishing and industries, such as cormorant fishing baskets.

While conveying the charm of bamboo crafts to many people, we will pass on the wisdom and skills of the Mino region to the next generation.




A bowl basket woven with "rokumetsudami" (hexagonal weave), one of the basic weaving techniques for bamboo crafts.
It is recommended for use as a draining basket after washing bowls and plates, or for storing food such as vegetables and fruits.




With its footed base, dishes dry easily. Excellent in both practicality and appearance.






A firmly woven bottom.










From splitting green bamboo to making bamboo strips, every step is carefully performed by artisans. A beautiful and highly functional item.




Initially, it's fresh green bamboo. One of the charms of bamboo crafts is how it transforms into a glossy amber color over 10 to 20 years of use.
Please enjoy this transformation and use it for a long time.








Natural materials such as earthenware pottery, lacquerware, and wooden cutlery should be put away after being thoroughly dried. You can comfortably put away wiped dishes by placing them face down in the basket for a while. The well-ventilated hexagonal weave is also gentle on the dishes.

*Due to being handmade with natural materials, there may be individual differences in weave and color.

As exemplified by the cormorant cages used in the Nagara River and Oze cormorant fishing, traditional livelihoods have been passed down in the Mino region, and alongside them are tools such as bamboo baskets still made locally.


【NPO Green Woodwork Association Bamboo Division】

The NPO "Green Woodwork Association Bamboo Division," which produced this bamboo basket, conducts activities such as "experiential workshops," "bamboo forest maintenance," "research," "custom production," and "bamboo craft classes" with the aim of preserving and promoting bamboo craft techniques.

The experiential workshops range from 2-3 hour sessions for experiencing bamboo weaving to full-fledged programs that take 2-3 days to experience all steps from splitting green bamboo to making bamboo strips. They also offer on-site workshops.
They also conduct bamboo forest maintenance to cultivate good bamboo material suitable for bamboo crafts, research traditional bamboo craft products mainly in the Mino region, and custom produce bamboo baskets for traditional fishing and industries, such as cormorant cages.

While conveying the charm of bamboo crafts to many people, they pass on the wisdom and skills of the Mino region to the next generation.




This teacup basket is woven using "mutsume-ami," one of the basic weaving patterns of bamboo crafts. It can be used as a draining basket after washing dishes, or simply placed on the table with tea utensils inside.




The raised base allows dishes to dry easily. Excellent in both usability and appearance.






Tightly woven bottom.










Every step, from splitting green bamboo to making bamboo strips, is carefully performed by artisans. A beautiful and highly functional item.




Initially, it's fresh green bamboo. The charm of bamboo crafts is how they transform into a glossy, amber color over 10 to 20 years of continuous use.
Please enjoy this transformation and cherish it for a long time.






It's also the perfect size as a temporary drying spot for earthenware. Not limited to teacups, it would also be lovely as a designated spot for your favorite mugs, sake bottles, or sake cups.

*As this is a handmade product made from natural materials, there may be individual differences in weaving patterns and colors.

A handmade bamboo basket from Iwate Prefecture.

Its unique shape, round when viewed from above and square when viewed from below, was once used as a sieve to separate charcoal from ash. Today, due to its convenient depth and easy-to-handle bamboo properties, it is a popular basket for storing vegetables and fruits, and as a dish basket.






Bamboo craftsmanship has been passed down for a long time as a winter handicraft. It is a simple yet elegant and practical household tool. Weaving with a consistent gap requires skill, and each item is handmade, so the details and finish vary slightly.

It is an item that conveys the warmth of handmade craftsmanship.






With its open weave and excellent breathability, it is recommended for storing vegetables, dishcloths, small items, or even as a decorative pot holder.

It's a versatile basket that can also be used for sewing tools, organizing boxes, and many other things. The aging process, where the color and luster increase with use, is another joy of owning it.




Sasa bamboo is known for its resistance to water and cold, excellent breathability, and slight depth.
It is flexible and durable, drains well, and can be easily wiped dry even after being washed thoroughly, making it convenient for everyday use around water.




With its depth, it can be used for storing vegetables and fruits, or as a dish basket. You can enjoy the unique aging process of bamboo.