About Thread

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Textiles begin with yarn. At yamamayu, we combine our own hand-spun mawata (silk floss) yarn made from cocoons we raise, reeled silk yarn sourced from a twisting mill in Hachioji, and—coming soon—cotton and kudzu fibers. From nature’s cycles and careful handwork, we bring cloth to life.

Contents

  1. Hand-Spun Mawata Yarn
  2. Reeled Silk (Purchased Yarns)
  3. Tensan Silk Yarn
  4. Future Yarns (Cotton & Kudzu)
  5. Yarns & Sustainability
  6. Photo Gallery
  7. Related Links
  8. FAQ

1. Hand-Spun Mawata Yarn

Materials: Cocoons from Bombyx mori raised at our studio; “waste” or irregular cocoons from filature that cannot be reeled.
Process: Boil the cocoons → stretch into mawata → hand-spin.
Traits: Lofty and light; warm with moisture regulation. The look changes with twist strength.
Uses: Scarves/stoles, kimono cloth, duvet filling, artworks.

Hand-drafting fibers from mawata and adding a light twist for a thicker yarn
Gently drafting fibers from mawata and adding a soft twist to make a thicker yarn

Reeled Silk (Purchased Yarns)

Sourcing: Custom-ordered from a twisting mill in Hachioji to suit each use (e.g., high-twist yarns, raw reeled silk).
Why: Enables structures and strengths not achievable with hand-spun mawata alone.
Dyeing: We design color with both plant-derived hues and selected low-impact chemical dyes.

Small-batch skein dyeing of reeled silk at the studio
We dye reeled silk in small skeins at the studio.

Tensan Silk Yarn

Materials: Cocoons from our own rearing and from partners in Iwate.
Rarity: Few producers remain in Japan. Tensan is prized for its pale jade-like sheen and toughness.
Uses: High-end scarves and exhibition pieces—special, one by one.

Soft natural luster unique to tensan silk
The gentle, unique luster of tensan silk. Produced in very small quantities and used with care.

Future Yarns (Natural Fibers: Cotton, Kudzu)

Cotton: Trial field cultivation informs spinning methods; our goal is to bring it into woven work.
Kudzu fiber: We are researching how to utilize local wild kudzu—fiber extraction → yarn making.
Goal: Move toward greater material self-sufficiency and textiles that honor nature’s gifts.

Yarns & Sustainability

  • Reuse: Leftover yarns are tied and repurposed (→ Mottainai Art).
  • By-products: Pupae become compost; spent dye plants are composted as well.
  • Tools: Foot-powered looms = zero electricity. Old looms are repaired and kept in service.

Yarn is born from nature’s cycle—and returns to that cycle. For details, see Sustainability.

Reeled silk skeins dyed at the studio
Reeled silk dyed at the studio
Reeling tensan silk at Okaya Silk Factory, Nagano
Reeling tensan silk at the Okaya Silk Factory, Nagano
Hand-spun silk mawata yarn wrapped with fiddlehead down
Hand-spun mawata silk wrapped with fern down
Yarn made by knotting leftover hand-spun mawata threads
Yarn made by knotting leftover hand-spun mawata threads

FAQ

Q. How do hand-spun mawata yarns differ from machine-spun reeled silk?
A. Hand-spun yarns are lofty and soft with natural irregular twist—rich in expression. Machine yarns are uniform, strong, and dimensionally stable.

Q. What are the characteristics of tensan silk?
A. A pale jade-like luster with notable toughness. Domestic production is extremely limited, so it is rare and special.

Q. When will cotton or kudzu yarns be available?
A. We are progressing step-by-step with trial cultivation and prototyping—an ongoing exploration of natural-fiber potential.

Q. What dyes do you use?
A. We use plant dyes from the studio’s surroundings alongside selected low-impact chemical dyes, depending on the application.

In Practice

Here are examples from people who have tried hand-spinning, and from educational settings.
Beyond the basics, you’ll find ideas and small adjustments that make the experience enjoyable for everyone.