An old TOYODA shuttle loom continues to run in the factory.
Compared to modern high-speed looms, it is by no means an efficient machine. It slowly shuttles back and forth, weaving the fabric one pick of weft at a time.
As the machine is quite old, almost no spare parts for this model remain.
If a major breakdown occurs, we may not be able to find the parts needed for replacement. In other words, if it breaks, that could be the end for this loom.
That is precisely why daily maintenance is indispensable.
Slight changes in sound, variations in vibration, and the tension of the yarn. The craftsperson stands by the loom, checking the machine's state and making necessary adjustments over and over again.
The shuttles and pirns we use are not mere tools. We wind yarn onto each one, check its condition, and prepare it for the next task. Worn parts are repaired, and sometimes, with a bit of modification, we return them to a usable state.
Using an old machine does not mean simply sticking to the old ways.
It means thinking, repairing, and passing it on so that it can run again today.
Fabric woven on a shuttle loom has a unique loft and softness born from the slow insertion of yarn. Its texture, which is not overly uniform, and its tactile depth are both created through the work of this machine and the craftsperson.
A machine alone cannot weave fabric.
A craftsperson alone cannot weave fabric.
Only when a long-used loom is paired with hands that understand its condition can a single piece of fabric be created.
If it breaks, that’s it.
With that sense of tension, we spare no effort to ensure these looms are used for as long as possible.
Even today, the sound of the shuttle echoes through the factory.
Ensuring that sound never fades is also a part of our manufacturing process.