Ako Dantsu is a cotton floor covering hand-woven in Ako City, Hyogo Prefecture. Dantsu (pile carpet) refers to a thick floor covering woven by knotting the threads that form the pile onto the warp threads. In the late Edo period, 児島なか of 中村 (present-day 中広, Ako City) was captivated by a Chinese dantsu seen in Takamatsu and, after long years of trial and error, created Ako Dantsu. It was commercialized in the Meiji era, spread as a side job for women working in the salt fields, and flourished greatly into the Taisho era. Together with Nabeshima Dantsu of Saga and Sakai Dantsu of Osaka, it is counted among 'Japan's three great dantsu.' It is characterized by its densely packed cotton pile and by 'tsumi' (trimming), in which the boundaries between colors are trimmed with hand shears (nigiri-basami) to make the patterns stand out. With brown, blue and white as the base colors, auspicious patterns such as kikko (tortoiseshell) and kani-botan (crab and peony) are woven in. Production nearly died out in the Showa era, but the Association for Passing Down Ako Dantsu (赤穂緞通を伝承する会) was formed in 1999, and the techniques are being handed down. It was designated a Hyogo Prefecture Designated Traditional Craft in 2007.
Origin
Ako Dantsu was devised by a woman named 児島なか who lived in 中村 (present-day 中広, Ako City) in the late Edo period. In Takamatsu in Sanuki, 児島なか encountered a Chinese dantsu, was captivated by it, and worked out the techniques independently. Hyogo Prefecture states that 児島なか founded it in 1849 (Kaei 2). On the other hand, some accounts say that it was commercialized in 1874 (Meiji 7) after more than twenty years of trial and error.
History
松之助, the eldest grandson and heir of 児島なか, inherited the techniques and expanded the business, and by 1912 (Meiji 45) five workshops were in operation. Ako Dantsu was favored by tea masters, ryotei (traditional high-end restaurants) and wealthy merchants of Kyoto, and is said to have been used in the interiors of imperial trains. In the early Showa era, nearly 200 people were engaged in the work at five or six workshops, but in 1938 the raw material, cotton, became unavailable, and all the factories closed. After the war two reopened, but the last factory closed in 1991. Afterward, workshops were held with the last weaver as the instructor, and the Association for Passing Down Ako Dantsu was formed in 1999.
Features
The appeal of Ako Dantsu lies in its densely packed cotton pile and sharply defined patterns. For the 'hase-ito' (pile yarn), cotton yarn with almost no twist is used, creating a distinctive texture and feel. The basic colors are brown, blue and white, and many auspicious patterns believed to ward off evil are seen, such as kikko (tortoiseshell), fukuju (good fortune and long life), kani-botan (crab and peony) and the phoenix. The kani-botan pattern suggests a relationship of influence with Nabeshima Dantsu, and the riken (sword) pattern one with Sakai Dantsu. All the work is done by hand, and large pieces take several months to make.
Techniques
Hase (Knotting the Pile)
The weaver ties the 'hase-ito,' which becomes the pile, onto the warp threads one at a time and cuts them. Hase-ito consists of 21 to 23 strands of No. 10 count cotton yarn combined, with almost no twist. Beating it in firmly on a takabata (high loom) allows the pile to be woven densely.
Tsumi (Trimming)
A process unique to Ako Dantsu in which, after weaving, the tips of the hase-ito are trimmed evenly with hand shears. Carefully trimming the boundaries between colors makes the patterns stand out and creates a three-dimensional effect. It is handwork that requires great skill and considerable patience.
Materials Used
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Artisans & Workshops
赤穂緞通を伝承する会
An organization with its contact address at 2073-4 加里屋, Ako City (tel. 0791-45-0606). It was formed in 1999 following the workshops held after the last factory closed in 1991. It works to preserve the techniques and train successors, and Hyogo Prefecture also lists it as the point of contact for Ako Dantsu.
赤穂緞通 弥生工房（根来節子）
A workshop at 119 古浜町, Ako City (tel. 0791-45-0025). 根来節子, who learned the techniques in the association's workshops, serves as the weaver, and the workshop is described as also displaying dantsu more than 100 years old. Hyogo Prefecture lists it as the contact for the Ako Dantsu Producers' Association (赤穂緞通生産者の会).
赤穂緞通工房ギャラリー東浜
A workshop and gallery at 69 東浜町, Ako City. Four weavers, including 池上和子, pay close attention to every stage from making the yarn onward and pursue delicate patterns and the expression of subtle colors unique to Japan.
Official site →How to Buy
- 桃井ミュージアム (Ako Dantsu showroom shop)
- A facility at 634 御崎, Ako City, described as having a showroom shop that exhibits and sells Ako Dantsu. It is best to check available items and business days in advance.
- Inquiries to Workshops and the Association
- Many pieces of Ako Dantsu are one-of-a-kind hand-woven works. If you would like to discuss the size and pattern before purchasing, it is best to contact the Association for Passing Down Ako Dantsu or the individual workshops. Large pieces take several months to make, so allow plenty of time when consulting.
Hands-on Experiences
赤穂緞通工房ギャラリー東浜（見学）
兵庫県赤穂市東浜町69
A gallery that also serves as the weavers' workshop, where visitors can see the world of Ako Dantsu up close. To visit, check availability on the calendar on the official website and apply through the application form. Open 9:00-18:00, closed irregularly.
View details →赤穂市立歴史博物館
兵庫県赤穂市上仮屋916-1
A city museum nicknamed 'House of Salt and the Loyal Retainers' (塩と義士の館), which also holds materials on Ako Dantsu. Admission is about 200 yen for adults and 100 yen for elementary and junior high school students. Closed on Wednesdays (or the following day if Wednesday is a holiday) and during the year-end and New Year holidays. It is best to check in advance whether dantsu are on display.
FAQ
Q. What are Japan's three great dantsu?
A. They are Nabeshima Dantsu of Saga, Sakai Dantsu of Osaka and Ako Dantsu of Hyogo. All are hand-woven floor coverings, and the kani-botan pattern of Ako Dantsu is thought to suggest a relationship of influence with Nabeshima Dantsu, and the riken pattern one with Sakai Dantsu.
Q. What kind of work is 'tsumi'?
A. It is the work of trimming the pile tips of a woven dantsu evenly with hand shears. Carefully trimming the boundaries between colors makes the patterns stand out sharply and creates a three-dimensional effect. It is handwork unique to Ako Dantsu.