Loop of the Loom

Hello. My name is Yukako Satone, a certified instructor of SAORI weaving and the founder of Loop of the Loom. At my studio, Loop of the Loom, people often ask me, "how long have you been weaving?" They are surprised when I say "I started when my daughter was 5 years old." I'm not a craft person nor an artisan. It was NO WAY! to knitting, sewing, doll making! But I like art and design. I worked as a graphic designer for 15 years in Japan and New York. Then I was introduced to SAORI weaving. Here is the story of how I started SAORI in the US.

In 2001 I decided to become a SAORI instructor. It was something that happened to me. My life changed in a few hours after I knew SAORI.

My great friend signed me up for the SAORI summer intensive class at the headquarter during my vacation in Japan. She had been teaching SAORI weaving as an artist in residence in Osaka, Japan. I felt so lucky to learn a new thing since I'd been searching for something besides parenting.

I stepped into the SAORI gallery before the class started. Hanging tapestries greeted me. They were jumbled-up and many colored. I couldn't believe that I was in a room in an office building in Japan. I took a seat for a SAORI lecture. The speaker was 88 years old and a small woman. She worn a black T-shirt and pants. But she was wrapped in a beautiful woven vest. The red based colored vest was chic and modern. Speaking about SAORI philosophy and experience, she walked and move her hands. She looked bigger. I received a powerful impression from this woman, Misao Jo. She is the founder of SAORI.  She said, "I need one thousand of Misao Jo."  I caught her message in my mind and brought it back to the US. Of course, with a loom!

For ten years I have been spreading SAORI seeds from place to place in NY and NJ. With a portable loom I have been working out of my house on a SAORI public art activity, giving hands on demonstrations of SAORI weaving.  I haven't received any profit or grants. But I have received many smiles and energy that all are precious experiences to me. I am thankful to people for spreading the word! I have been invited to some well-known places in New York City.  In this way SAORI weaving becomes known in the US.

People want to create something, they want to use colors, to touch with their hands. I decided to open a weaving studio, Loop of the Loom where everyone can express own style in weaving.  We use many recyclable materials with "Mottainai" idea from Japan which means non-waste. Each piece of weaving is so beautiful.  No two works are alike.  I hand to my students SAORI's seeds and they bloom into beautiful flowers on the looms. SAORI's seeds begin to sprout. My studio nourishes roots linking new SAORI weavers.

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