Saori is an art of weaving by hand that is dedicated to free expression and self-development for everyone, regardless of physical or mental ability, age, or artistic aptitude. Saori weaving is pure improvisation from the heart, with no premeditated pattern in mind. Colors unfold, designs emerge, and beauty blooms directly from the genius of each unique individual working in harmony with loom, thread, and the spark of the moment. Saori is a profound inner journey, yet we can enjoy it socially, working alongside others. We can also create clothing, bags, tapestries, and many useful items that can be appreciated by all. Saori is fun, and anyone can do it!

Q: Can all improvisational, freestyle weaving be called SAORI?

A: Actually, "saori" is a trademark of Sakaiseikisangyou in Japan. This is the company that manufactures the SAORI loom. The "sa" in "SAORI" ("ori" means "weaving"), is a Zen Buddhist term that means "each thing has its own unique quality" or "each person has his or her own unique quality." So, because of these spiritual roots, as experienced and expressed by founder Misao Jo, SAORI is more than just a technique. It is also:

•  A philosophy that all people are artists: each of us has a latent intuitive power that SAORI can awaken
• An aesthetic that embraces the natural beauty of unintended "mistakes" and encourages exploring the unknown.
• A social movement towards bringing diverse people together to learn from one another. It is especially a movement to include within a larger community people who may be isolated or marginalized because of disability, age, income, overwork, caregiving, ethnicity, or other reasons.
• An artistic yet practical path of meditation, therapy, rehabilitation, trauma recovery, stress reduction, identity-building, community-building, economic self-reliance, and holistic human devlopment.

ORDER the SAORI BOOK in ENGLISH!

"Self-discovery Through Free Weaving" is by Saori founder Misao Jo and her son Kenzo Jo, with a forward by Very Special Arts founder Jean Kennedy Smith. The book includes marvelous photographs, the fascinating history and Zen philosophy of Saori, techniques of warping and weaving, and instructions on how to make clothes from Saori hand-woven fabric. The book is available at our studio for $28.

To order by mail within the USA, mail us your address and a check or money order for $32.00 (includes shipping and handling). We'll send your book right out! Make checks out to SAORI Worcester, and mail to SAORI Worcester, 131 Highland St., Worcester, MA 01609. Note: If you are in Massachusetts, add $1.30 sales tax (total $33.30 by mail). If you are a Mass. non-profit org., please mail a copy of your sales tax exemption certificate instead.

Ordering from outside the USA?

Email info@saorinomori.com (English okay)