The main purpose of this journey to Nepal was to inspect a power loom and search for equipment that could become part of Hitotsuya（ひとつ屋）’s future cloth production.
A power loom is a loom driven by an external source of power, such as water, steam, or electricity. The British inventor Edmund Cartwright patented a power-loom design in 1785. Later improvements and wider adoption helped mechanize weaving and transformed textile production during the Industrial Revolution.
As I wrote in “Like the Industrial Revolution of Meiji Japan” (Japanese page), Hitotsuya does not want naturally dyed textiles to remain only within the worlds of art, craft, or personal hobbies. We want to make practical products that can be used in everyday life.
This led me to become interested in equipment that seems to stand somewhere between a hand tool and a fully automated machine.
Such equipment can preserve the warmth, judgement, and subtle adjustments of human hands while still providing a certain level of productivity. It does not automate everything. Instead, the operator and the structure work together.
In Japanese, both 器械 and 機械 are pronounced kikai. Their meanings overlap, and the distinction is not absolute. At Hitotsuya, however, we deliberately use 器械 for equipment that works together with human hands rather than completely replacing them. This idea is explained further in “Meiji-Era Equipment and AI in the Reiwa Era” (Japanese page).
I am especially fascinated by the wooden-and-metal equipment used in Japan from the Meiji era (1868–1912) through the Taishō era (1912–1926). During the Meiji era, Japan moved away from the Tokugawa domain system, built a centralized modern state, and rapidly introduced Western industrial technologies. During the shorter Taishō era, industrialization and urbanization continued, while modern textile production became increasingly established. These transformations changed not only manufacturing, but also society and the nature of work.
After more than a century, much of this equipment now survives mainly in museums and archives. Working examples are limited, and it is extremely difficult for an individual to acquire, repair, and operate one.
Just as I was beginning to give up, I happened to see videos showing looms with similar structures still being made for practical use in India. Further research suggested that they might also be made in Nepal.
▼ This is not a power loom, but a handloom fitted with a flying-shuttle mechanism.
And of course, Nepal is the home country of Bija, a member of the Hitotsuya team!
Bija gathered information and made preparations for us. Thanks to his work, the idea of inspecting and purchasing a Nepalese power loom suddenly began to feel realistic.
Strangely enough, wishes sometimes do come true. One connection led to another, and we eventually reached a textile workshop in Nepal and then a workshop where looms were being built.
And then, to our great surprise, we were able to order a wooden power loom and a drum warping machine!
We have already paid for the two machines, and production is now due to begin in Nepal.
Now the questions begin. Will the equipment arrive safely at Hitotsuya? And even when it does arrive, will we be able to master it?
Please—really—look forward to seeing what happens next!
The power loom and drum warping machine being built in Nepal can be seen in “Power Loom” (Japanese page).