The First and Sole Quilt Museum in Japan
Featured on Quilt Japan Tours vacation package.
Located in the eastern part of Shimane Prefecture, The Izumo Museum of Quilt Art is the first and sole quilt museum in Japan. The museum is surrounded by the landscape of Izumo field and the building itself is made of the 200-year-old traditional residence.
Kimono Materials
The main exhibitions of this museum are the works by Mutsuko Yawatagaki, who is one of the most renowned artists of Japanese style quilting. All quilt on display is made from the salvaged material of kimonos that come from antique and vintage kimonos, and on top of that, they are hand sewn.
Each quilt is presented as part of an installation with seasonal flowers, trees, Japanese gardens, etc., and visitors can see and feel Japanese detailed techniques, spirits, and cultures through the exhibition in a traditional Japanese building.
The museum has a souvenir shop selling their original fabric goods and works. You can also enjoy Japanese green tea served with homemade Japanese sweets (Wagashi) that changes depending on the season.
Visit their website (in Japanese) to see the past exhibitions.
One of Japan's Leading Quilters - Mutsuko Yawatagaki
Mutsuko Yawatagaki was born in Shimane Prefecture and has been creating amazing works including embroidery, woven, dyed, and quilt. She put American quilting and Japanese traditional culture together in a beautiful way using the 100-300 years old kimono as materials, and her works have been showcased in major exhibitions inside and outside of Japan. 