TATSUYA JO
Owner and Founder of “SAORI hand weaving studio JOTA” in Kichijoji, Tokyo
Kanryoku(感性＝sensitivity) / Can we be more human?
When you walk through Kichijoji park, you will encounter a white house, SAORI hand weaving studio JOTA, where individuals freely weave according to their sensitivity that flows out that instance.
Tatsuya Jyo, grandson of Misao Jyo founder of SAORI weaving, established JOTA. At the time where efficiency and mass production was demanded in the textile industry, Misao pronounced, “we should allow machines do what machines can do, and we humans should weave what represents you”. Rather than calculating what you want to weave in your head, focus on what you are sensing that moment, and allow that to flow into the weave. This is similar to nature, as artificial plantation is organized, but nature itself is rather warm, and dynamic and full of life without artificiality.
Tatsuya, owner of JOTA mentions “weave freely, as you want”, “try not to think”, but actually this is not so easy for us. We tend to think, imagine the final product, and hold a preconceived idea or stereotype. So, it is difficult to let go of those habits, but maybe the important thing is to first recognize those habits or instincts. Then, gradually, there may be a glimpse of a moment to encounter a new viewpoint or aspect within us.
As for myself, I went to JOTA at times of my turning point in life, such as after giving birth. Maybe I was seeking to connect to my incautiousness or wanted to be in a state of meditation to find light towards my future. In my first visit, I was surprised that the weaving was such a free and enjoyable experience, as I imagined it to be difficult. Within a few hours, I had my one and only scarf, whereby, I myself would not be able to make the same one again. Even now, I would revisit JOTA in times where I want to look into myself, enjoy my sensitivity or “karyoku” in Tatsuya’s words, and find a new way.
Please enjoy SAORI weaving and dialogue with Tatsuya. I believe that you will encounter your incautiousness and sensitivity and end up with a SAORI weaving that represents you at that moment.
(Producer Yoshiko Shrestha)
■Schedule
10:00 Meet at Kichijyoji station
10:30 Hand weave
12:00 Lunch and dialogue with Tatsuya Jyo owner of SAORI weaving studio JOTA
13:30 Hand weave
16:30 End of the Day
“In the Interlude, I received only a little technical instruction, and no artistic instruction. That was very different! I had thought that weaving would feel more “”repetitive”” than other experiences, and in a way it was – but in a good way! It felt meditatiive. I think I became more peaceful as the day moved on and my thoughts became lighter.
Joel
America
I felt I was in a very conscious state of mind during the program; my senses were very awake and I felt specially sensible to everything that was going on not only around me but within me. In previous art programs I’ve attended the focus tends to be in the precise “art” piece or “artistic skill” you are learning as opposed to the Interlude where the focus might not be in the specific knowledge but more into awakening one’s feeling of cerativity, self expression, sensibility.
Sara
Colombia
“It was a memorable moment when Jo-san talked about the nature of Saori over lunch. After his talk, I was free from my bias of weaving. I mean I could focus on my way of weaving, not being afraid of making mistakes. Simply I could break through my glass ceiling.It was valuable for me as a visual artist that I could investigate new and various possibilities in my works in terms of theory and practice along Saori-weaving, which helps me look deeper at issues I have confronted by integrating new mediums of expression.
Tetsugo
Japan
