Nishijin-ori/Woven Textiles: Mikio Hirai (Orisho-Hirai)

My textiles career is dedicated to handweaving gold brocade for kesa, or the robes of Buddhist monks. This brocade uses a traditional technique known as hikihaku, which appears drastically different depending on where and from which angle it is viewed. While my textiles are special in that they are used for monks' robes in addition to being traditional Nishijin-ori material, I would like to use them not only for Japanese items, but also for Western clothes and spaces. Recently, my opportunities for developing products with artisans from other fields have increased as well.