Aizen Kobo - indigo textiles

We came back from Japan 3 weeks ago already, but the memories and inspirations we took with us will hopefully stay much longer  … I would like to show you from time to time some more of it. Today we are traveling back to Kyoto where we discovered indigo textile studio called Aizen Kobo. I’m so in love in indigo colour! 

We found this charming place through Durston's Old Kyoto book, which is truly unique. The Aizen Kobo studio is located in weaving and textiles district where we cycled ( it’s a pretty long way to go from the central station!).  The workshop is a third-generation family business. It's run by Mr. Ken-ichi Utsuki and his wife Hisako. She does the beautiful designs- scarves, shirts, dresses, coats- all hand-dyed and hand sawn.  AIZENKOBO name literally and amusingly translates as “the workshop that loves dyeing,” . Miss  Hisako gived us a short guide into the very old and so beautiful house and explained the  unique process of making traditional indigo textile. You can read more HERE.  Miss Hisako , kept convincing us that all what was made in their studio , you would not find anywhere . As you can imagine, I wished to take with me half of the products she showed us… I’m so glad we went there and discovered this truly magic place , where there is so much authenticity and beauty. 

Kyoto magic

It’s already Friday and it's time to relax….

our kids have 2 weeks off from school so it will be even slower time for us in the coming days.

I thought I will show you few pictures from our visit in Kyoto. It was a short trip to this magic place and we feel we didn’t have enough of it. We biked through the city and it’s small streets. Stopping by some small studios producing ceramics, brushes or traditional indigo dying. Often we entered these small houses not knowing what to expect, and we loved that so much! We visited few temples, but they were so packed with people that we escaped from there very fast and took our own path…

Have a wonderful weekend. 

it is time to go…..

Only one week left and Rafa-kids will fly to Japan. 

Did your read my post about it ?  we-are-going-to-japan

As you can imagine, we need to do a lot of preparations and this is a reason that there will silent on the blog…..but don’t worry. You can still find Rafa-kids on Instagram where I will be more present, also during our exciting trip. I hope to share with you all the beauty of Japan and interesting stories which are in front of us…..

Let’s stay in touch. 

photo credit 1/2

We go to Japan!

I can’t keep this secret any more from you. 

We booked tickets to Japan!  It’s going to be Rafa-kids business trip to visit our partner there - Actus store, but we will also have few days to explore Tokyo and Kyoto. We are so exited! As you can imagine! We are going in Spring time, just beginning of April, so we have a little hope too see the Sacura blossom….I know I know….

It’s a very long time that we both Arek and me, love the Japanese culture. It is not only from our studies time at the university of Architecture, but for me since an early art school actually. It was always a dream to go to this unique place and touch it and feel it in real. When two years ago, we were contacted by the prestigious Actus store from Japan, with an interest in Rafa-kids design, we could not be more happy. I wrote a post about Actus kids collection here.  Rafa-kids beds are in their stores since half a year and we are so ready to learn more about our partner and their culture. 

If you have any tips for us, what we really need to see in Tokyo or Kyoto, please let me know. We are making plans as I speak. I think I will share a lot on our Rafa-kids Instagram in exactly 2 months time, when we will be there. I still can’t believe!