Where: JTA Showroom - 29 Production Ave, Kogarah NSW 2217

When: Saturday 22nd August

Choose from 2 session times: 9am or 1pm

Under the gentle guidance of Tomoko Taira and Aya Oataki, delve into the traditional Japanese craft of bamboo weaving. In this workshop you will learn the fundamentals of working with the material and get a taste for the different ways it can be woven to create strong, light and useful forms.

Tomoko san and Aya san are a Kyoto-based takeami artisans and established the Miyama Bamboo Club, which aims to teach and preserve the traditional bamboo weaving techniques that have been practiced in the thatched town of Miyama, Japan for centuries.

Yotsu Ami is one of the most foundational techniques of Japanese bamboo crafts, though mastering the spacing and maintaining uniform tension across the entire piece requires years of dedicated practice.   It translates to "four-eye weaving" because the criss-crossing vertical and horizontal strips create open, four-sided square spaces or "eyes".

Due to its light weight and breathability, yotsu ami is highly favoured for crafting functional items like hot-weather cooling mats, traditional rattan pillows and storage baskets.

Each 2.5 hr workshop will be held at the JTA Showroom, with all materials and light refreshment included.