Kurashiki City has three stories recognized as Japan Heritage.
One of them is “A Kurashiki story beginning with a single cotton flower: A textile town woven from Japanese and Western influences.”
Some of you may answer, “Of course I know,” but have you ever actually grown cotton?
As part of an initiative by the Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Promotion Office, a workshop was held in which participants grew cotton seeds received in early spring 2022 in planters, brought together the cotton bolls they had harvested themselves, and made New Year’s decorations.
I made an “original New Year’s decoration,” and would like to share it with you.
The information presented was current when this article was published in December 2022. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Spring 2022 onward: Growing cotton
One day in April 2022, around 10 to 20 cotton seeds arrived from the Kurashiki City Japan Heritage Promotion Office.
I planted them right away in planters and elsewhere, and by May, cute little seedlings had sprouted.
They grew steadily and reached over 50 centimeters tall.
The cotton first bloomed in July.
Their delicate appearance is beautiful enough to be enjoyed as an ornamental plant.
After the petals fell, green, rugby-ball-shaped pods appeared.
Then one day, the green pods burst open, revealing “cotton bolls”.
Cotton bolls are just cotton, plain and simple.
It may seem obvious, but it was a fresh surprise.
December 2022: Taking part in a New Year’s decoration workshop with harvested cotton bolls
On December 22, 2022, I joined the workshop with the cotton bolls I had harvested tucked under my arm.
Somehow, I felt more invested than I do in an ordinary workshop.
The materials were laid out on the table.
The cotton bolls I had brought are at the top, and the January New Year’s issue of Koho Kurashiki is at the bottom right.
That’s right! The finished product from this very workshop is featured on its cover.
Before getting carried away, let’s start the workshop with a refresher on the Kurashiki story.
- Much of Kurashiki was developed through land reclamation during the Edo period.
- Rice could not be grown right away in the reclaimed land because of its high salt content.
- That is why cotton, which tolerates salt, began to be cultivated.
- This is how the Kurashiki story began, leading to today’s denim industry.
Apparently, Kurashiki elementary school students learn about this through manga.
Making New Year’s decorations, Part 1: Wiring the cotton bolls
At last, it was time to start making the New Year’s decoration.
The first step was wiring the cotton bolls, the centerpiece.
The wire used to attach the cotton to the shimenawa rope is first wrapped around the cotton.
There was no need to secure it with a hot glue gun.
A shimenawa rope is used as a sacred boundary separating the realm of the gods from the impure outside world.
It is hung at the entrance for the New Year to keep misfortune-bringing gods from entering.
Now, let’s decorate the shimenawa rope.
Choose where to place the decorations on the shimenawa rope, then firmly tie the pine needles there.
Next, decide where to place the centerpiece.
My shimenawa rope was pure white, so I decided to bundle four pieces of cotton together and attach them where they would not overlap the rope.
Even attaching the cotton had its own trick when it came to fastening the wire.
As shown in the diagram, twist the bundled end around, or pinch the end of the wire and twist it around and around.
▼Here’s an overview of the decorating process.
Making New Year’s decorations, Part 2: Adding color
Once you’ve decided where to place the centerpiece and gotten the hang of fastening the wire, all that’s left is to add color as you please, using red, blue, green, and other colors.
I gave it a go and decorated it!
But this is about as far as I can get...
Somehow, it just doesn't feel quite right.
That's when the teacher comes to the rescue.
Flower arrangement instructor Tomoko Asano patiently guided me through every step.
She brought together the blue accents, added a ribbon made of denim fabric, and fashioned the mizuhiki into rabbit ears to match the zodiac animal.
▼And here's the finished piece.
The shimekazari turned out beautifully, almost unrecognizable from before.
From the Writer
2022 marked five years since “A Kurashiki story beginning with a single cotton flower” was registered as Japan Heritage.
During that time, the following initiatives have reportedly taken place.
- Elementary school students learn about the Kurashiki Story through manga
- High school students film videos showcasing its appeal
- People of all ages take part in creating Japan Heritage karuta
I hear that cotton is also being cultivated again, and that children’s clothing is being made.
It feels as though cotton has once again taken root in Kurashiki.
I think cotton has become part of the travel memories of the many people who visit Kurashiki, and perhaps it is also becoming part of the identity of those of us who live here.
There will also apparently be a karuta game at the children’s festival in February 2023.
You could visit places connected with cotton. By all means, come and experience Kurashiki cotton.
And why not try growing cotton yourself from early spring 2023?
Fresh Shimekazari Workshop Decorated with Cotton Flowers: Information
| Name | Fresh Shimekazari Workshop Decorated with Cotton Flowers |
|---|---|
| Date | December 22, 2022 |
| Participation fee (tax included) | 1,000 yen |
| Website | Fresh Shimekazari Workshop Decorated with Cotton Flowers |
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