Kokura-Ori: A Revived Traditional Craft Passed Down to the Next Generation
Royal Makers vol. 2
Everything the RIHGA Royal Hotels offer, from the ingredients used in the restaurant to the amenities provided in each room, is produced by committed “makers.” In this series, we introduce you to the deep thoughts that the “makers” put into their creations and how the “hotel,” “makers,” and “guests” are all interconnected.
Tsuiki Noriko Kokura Shima Cotton Obi “Hana to Baku” (Flower and Waterfall) ©kyoko omori
Opulent spatial design woven with “Kokura-ori”
The 24th and 25th floors of the RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura feature “Kokura-ori,” a traditional craft of Kokura, Kitakyushu. Stepping out of the elevator, a corridor embellished with a Kokura-ori carpet featuring exquisite stripes guides you to the guest rooms, creating an elegant and modern atmosphere. Each guest room, furthermore, is tastefully adorned with a variety of Kokura-ori pieces, including the curtains, carpets, and bedding. In this interview, Tsuiki Noriko, a textile artist, discusses her journey and the elegant transformation she brought to the guest room renewal of the RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura of 2016.
Opening new doors with the restoration of Kokura-ori
Since the Edo period (1600s), Kokura-ori has been produced in the Toyomae Kokura Domain (now Kitakyushu City), boasting a history of more than 300 years. However, as time passed, it unfortunately vanished at the start of the Showa era. More than 40 years ago, I came across a very strange cloth in an antique store in Kitakyushu City. It looked like cotton but had the luster of silk and the smooth texture of leather. I was fascinated by it. This exquisite cloth was none other than the remarkable fabric of Kokura-ori, which was made most likely between the end of the Edo period and the beginning of the Meiji period. I was immediately inspired to embark on the revival of the tradition of Kokura-ori. After numerous attempts at disassembling the fabric and replicating the construction over the course of two years, I have finally succeeded in reproducing it.
The year 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of the restoration of Kokura-ori. “I am very happy that Kokura-ori, once extinct, is now highly regarded both in Japan and abroad,” says Tsuiki Noriko.
Conventional “Kokura-ori” was a thick and sturdy fabric, as it was used for the Obi and Hakama of Samurai and for the school uniforms of male students following the Meiji era. The warp threads of Kokura-ori are three times denser than the weft threads, resulting in a pattern marked by vertical stripes. Since it was mainly used for men’s clothing, the designs were simple for a very long time. However, after I restored and revitalized it, more and more people have started weaving Kokura-ori, giving it unique designs. On the other hand, with the creation of the machine-woven Kokura-ori called “Kokura Shima Shima,” which takes advantage of its sturdiness and beautiful vertical stripes, it is now being used for many purposes, including fashion and home decor while keeping its tradition.
The “Kokura-ori Floor” designed by Tsuiki Noriko.
The renewal of the RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura guest rooms was one of the many projects I was involved in while promoting Kokura-ori. With the concept of “chic and modern Japanese beauty,” I incorporated elements of Kokura-ori into the carpet designs and artworks. The corridors are faintly lit, making the carpet look like a Kokura-ori Obi floating on a large navy Kimono. The design of the carpet in the guest rooms is inspired by the “marbled” pattern of Kokura-ori uniforms. In addition, each room features different Kokura-ori artwork displayed on the wall above the headboard. Artisan crafts embody the essence of the local climate and temperament and become cherished traditions to be passed down to future generations. The elegant and graceful stripes of “Kokura-ori” reflect the very temperament of the people of Kokura. I hope that people staying on the “Kokura-ori Floor” enjoy getting to know Kokura’s culture and spirit.
Textile Artist Tsuiki Noriko
RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura
Stay, enjoy, and take home the charm of “Kokura-ori”
”The RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura is offering a stay plan that includes a special hardcover notebook made with “Kokura Shima Shima,” a modern Kokura-ori fabric that inherits the finest qualities of traditional Kokura-ori. Featuring an elegant traditional Kokura-ori vertical stripe design and the lustrous matte texture of cotton, this hardcover notebook offers an ideal canvas for documenting your journeys and everyday events. The guest rooms adorned with “Kokura-ori” designs are located on the “Superior” floors (24th and 25th), offering a perfect blend of tradition and modern comfort. The rooms also provide a breathtaking panoramic view of Kitakyushu City and promise a comfortable stay.
Text by Terawaki Ayuko
A unique hardcover notebook showcasing an elegant design of stunning stripes highlighted by extensive warp threads.
Accommodation Plan with“Kokura Shima Shima” hardcover notebook (24th and 25th floors/Kokura floor only)
1 Guest
Starting at ¥11,000 per night
2 Guests
Starting at ¥16,000 per night
Gift: “Kokura Shima Shima” hardcover notebook (not for sale) (1 per person)
※Please note that the design will be chosen randomly.
RIHGA Royal Hotel Kokura
2-14-2 Asano, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka
Phone: +81(0) 93-531-1121 (representative)
※All pictures shown are for illustration purposes only.
※All prices include tax.
※Opening Hours may be subject to change without notice. Please check the Opening Hours before visiting.
