Nabeshita Dantsu

Prologue

In Japan there is a high-class rug so called “Dantsu（緞通）” which was well appreciated by General (Shogun) Tokugawa in Edo period.

This indoor rug came through China originating from Persian rug. In the latter half of the 17th century, the technology was introduced through China to Saga domain under the reign of the Nabeshima clan in the northern part of Kyushu island in Japan. At that time, Japan was closed from foreign countries and the only open gate was Dejima island in Nagasaki, which is adjacent to Saga. They say that it was Kiyouemon Koga（古賀清右衛門）who was a rich farmer of Saga clan and he acquired that rug technology and he spread it out. This is the origin of Saga Dantsu.  Later, it was also produced in Sakai, Osaka and Ako, Hyogo prefecture.  It was named as “Sakai Dantsu'' and “Ako Dantsu” but the momentum of the past cannot be seen facing its crisis of survival today.

This is the project that challenges this rug’s survival by introducing it to the overseas market.  We are going to introduce this high-class rug loved by Shogun as a custom-made product intended to be used by the prayers of Muslims.

#dantsu #craft #artisan #saga #japaneseculture