Arpita Akhanda

Akhanda visited a textile company, Sakara Orinomo Inc., where they produce and sell Kurume-kasuri. Upon hearing stories and seeing the manufacturing process inside the factory, Akhanda found many commonalities between ikat from India and Kurume-kasuri, which intrigued her very much. Later, she also made a visit to Ikehiko Corporation, a long-established interior design company, where she saw many kinds of items, including tatami mats incorporating traditional Kakegawa-ori textile with some essence of contemporary taste. At the end of the day, Akhanda went to Igyoukaikan (Igusa Weaver Business Center), where historical resources on Igusa and tatami industry in Fukuoka Prefecture are presented. She also had a chance to speak with local weavers.

Akhanda visited several places to conduct research focusing on washi in Yame, including Shiraki Kougei, where they make structural designs of traditional Yame lanterns, Ito Gonziro Shoten, an old lantern shop launched in 1815, and the Matsuo Washi Kobo, a washi craft studio that has more than a hundred years of history.

After experiencing handmade washi at the Yame Traditional Crafts Center, the artist visited Hana-goyomi, an antique shop, where the owner Minematsu gave her a tour in the storage and explained architectural shifts found on the doors built between Taisho and early Showa era. Later in the Gallery Ki to Te, Akhanda saw a variety of works intricately crafted from washi. Many kinds of washi papers that she saw at the Matsuo Washi Kobo also left her with a strong impression. At the end of the day, Akhanda went to see the exhibition of the Kyu-Kaminosho (Former Kaminosho School) Residency Program, where she met the invited artists for 2025, Ikenana and Hanada Tomohiro.

On this day, Akhanda joined a private tour at Hakataza, where she had the chance to see backstage, including naraku, an underground space beneath the stage, stage wings, and dressing rooms. At the end of the tour, everyone went to see the auditorium, which accommodates approximately 1,500 people, constructed within the three-tiered structure that maintains a good view from any seat.

Guided by Miyajma Miki, who is a master craftsman of Hakata-ori textile, Akhanda heard about the history of Hakata-ori and its traditions passed down to the present. She also had a chance to see the weaving machine, patterns, and designs, to get a better understanding of how the Hakata-ori is made.

Visited Hakata Machiya Folk Museum, Hakataori Kogeikan, and Iki Shrine. At Hakataori Kogeikan, she learned about Hakata-ori textile, which has been inherited for 780 years, and tried some weaving on a handloom.

Akhanda arrived in Fukuoka on January 13th and the next day she joined a meeting in Artist Cafe Fukuoka to discuss her work during the residency.