2018 Years of Some no Michi

*Information at the time of adoption.

Name of the organization or individual

"Some no Michi" Executive Committee

subsidy category

Support for Regional Arts and Culture Activities

Grant Type

single year

2017 Tokyo Area Arts and Culture Grant (secondary deadline)

A gallery of rivers erecting pieces of cloth over the Myoshoji River (Photo: "Some no Michi" executive committee)

"Michi no Galleries" decorate the entrances of shopping districts and cultural facilities with the artist's original curtains. (Photo: "Some no Michi" Executive Committee)

There are many opportunities to experience dyeing, such as experiencing tie-dyeing. (Photo: "Some no Alley" executive committee)

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Business Overview

From the early Showa period to the 1930s, the area along the Kanda-gawa River and Myoshoji-gawa River in Tokyo was known as one of the three major dye-producing areas, along with Kyoto and Kanazawa, where more than 300 dye-related businesses were concentrated. Even today, artisans and artists who have inherited their techniques and are proposing new dyeing techniques gather around Ochiai-Nakai in Shinjuku Ward.
"Some no Alley" is a resident-led event that aims to reintroduce Ochiai and Nakai as a "dye town" to Japan and the world, and to revitalize the local community by allowing many people to directly experience the values and environment that the community has cherished. There is a "River Gallery" where fabric is displayed on the surface of the Myoshoji River, and a "Road Gallery" where "Noren" made by artists are displayed at the eaves of shops in the shopping district. Dyed goods decorate the town of Nakai for three days.

implementation period

Friday, February 23, 2017 - 25th (Sun)

Place of implementation

Ochiai and Nakai (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo)

*Information such as project outlines is provided by organizations and individuals providing subsidies.

Profile

[Some no Alley Executive Committee]
A voluntary organization established in 2010 by members who want to revitalize the Ochiai and Nakai areas. A wide range of participants will be dyeing businesses, shopkeepers of shopping districts, residents and local university students. Everyone worked with their own lunch. The representative takes turns every term, and dyeing, shops, and residents take turns to maintain the overall balance. About 25 core staff members attend meetings once a month. Including volunteers, nearly 200 people will participate.