Artisanal Silk with Generations of Tradition, Born of Ingenuity in the Sacred Mountain

In Hakusan City, about an hour by car from Kanazawa, stands a particular artisanal silk workshop. What makes them special is that they still use traditional techniques passed down from generation to generation called Ushikubi Tsumugi to handmake their premium pongee silk fabric. The craft has its roots in the village of Shiramine, up towards the foothills of Mt. Hakusan, one of Japan’s three sacred mountains. The isolated and mountainous geography of the area highly limited what the inhabitants could do for a living. To thrive, the inhabitants went through generations of trial and error till they found out that their village is perfect as an environment for one small creature, silkworms.

Now, in the modern era where mass-produced fabric is the norm, the Ushikubi Tsumugi silk still stands the test of time and has been gaining appreciation both in Japan and abroad. Today’s artisans work tirelessly to ensure that every piece of fabric that comes out of their workshop is of the highest quality possible, preserving the legacy of this prized regional craft for the generations yet to come.

Through this tour, guests can learn about the history and cultural background of Ushikubi Tsumugi, watch skilled artisans at work, and try reeling silk from cocoons and weaving a small silk coaster using the same looms as the artisans. The visit also includes time to browse high-quality Ushikubi Tsumugi fabrics and products, from tasteful gifts and keepsakes to tailored garments designed by a former Hermès designer.

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