Tensan Silk Leno Weave Textile

Collector’s Gallery

A one-of-a-kind shawl woven with undyed Tensan silk in the weft, preserving its natural jade-like hue. Within the cloth, a soft light rises quietly rather than shining sharply.

The warp is lightly dyed silk, chosen only to support the natural color of Tensan. The result is airy, translucent, and quietly luminous.

Background

Tensan silkworms for this work are raised between our studio in Yamanashi and a friend in Iwate who cares for them with us. The silk obtained from cocoons grown slowly in nature is extremely limited, and each year’s climate and growth remain quietly present in the thread itself.

Because the natural color of Tensan silk cannot be replaced by dye, the cloth is structured simply: undyed Tensan silk in the weft, softly tinted silk in the warp, and leno weave to hold air and light. What appears is not a decorative effect, but the quiet grace of the material itself.

Leno weave allows air to pass between the threads, holding light and creating transparency and depth when wrapped. Within that structure, the light of Tensan silk gently opens and changes expression with the movement of the wearer.

For availability, price, or opportunities to view the work in person, please contact us. Even after a work is sold, the page remains as part of the archive of yamamayu.