tamaki niime: From Field to Fabric
In Nishiwaki City, Hyogo Prefecture - long considered the heartland of Japan’s textile industry - tamaki niime is breathing new life into the centuries-old tradition of Banshu-ori. This distinctive method of yarn-dyed weaving, which dates back over 230 years, begins with dyeing the yarn before it is woven - a process that allows for rich, nuanced colour and intricate, expressive patterns. Banshu-ori was historically practiced as a side occupation by farmers during the off-season, and it has grown into a symbol of craftsmanship, regional pride, and technical refinement.
Yarns, pre-dyed before weaving.
Designer Niime Tamaki encountered this heritage textile by chance in 2004, sparking a journey that would eventually see her establish her own studio in the birthplace of Banshu-ori. Today, tamaki niime operates as a fully vertical operation. They grow their own cotton, rear their own sheep, spin their own yarn, dye, weave, sew, and sell all under one roof. This makes their textiles not only unique, but truly “made in Japan,” from seed to shawl.
Niime Tamaki in the cotton fields, and with sheep from the farm.
Their signature “only one shawl" is woven on a belt-type power loom from 1965, producing pieces with a soft, airy texture and a singular feel that modern machines can’t replicate. Every piece is individual, never mass-produced, and always imbued with the spirit of experimentation and joy.
The 1965 Power Loom used to weave shawls and fabrics for production.
Beyond aesthetics, tamaki niime is deeply committed to sustainability. Leftover fabrics are transformed and crafted into new designs, offered to local artists, or sold to makers who cherish the beauty of reuse.
tamaki niime in Nishiwaki City, Hyogo, Japan
Ten years ago, Tamaki and her team began cultivating pesticide-free cotton on abandoned farmland, driven by the belief that clothing should be rooted in the land. This challenge was born from a fear that Japanese manufacturing was becoming disconnected from its origins. This has blossomed into a growing network of cotton growers across the country. With the recent internalisation of spinning, tamaki niime has taken a major step toward pure domestic production.
tamaki niime's 7 Principles for Living:
- Live comfortably and brightly.
- Act now! Doing is thinking.
- Through failure comes growth - keep experimenting.
- Question the mundane and create things that excite.
- Provide comfortable things and experiences for the people around us.
- The Earth, animals, and plants are all living beings - live together in harmony.
- Be mindful of the future, live fully in the present.
Banshu-ori shawls by tamaki niime, drying in the sun.
Whether it’s raising sheep in their village workshop, dyeing yarns with a rainbow of colour, or opening a new creative hub in Kamakura, tamaki niime’s work is always guided by these values. Their story is one of regeneration and reviving heritage craft, reconnecting with nature, and imagining a slower, more meaningful way to make and live.
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Image Credits:
Lead Image: Niime Tamaki checking the looms in her onsite laboratory.
All images courtesy of tamaki niime