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Frequently Asked Questions

We have provided answers to some frequently asked questions to assist your understanding about SAORI, our services, products, policies and community.

We have grouped the sets of Q&A’s into several categories to help you navigate on this page. You can click on the category names listed below to quickly find the answer you need.

FAQ categories:
Classes | Products | Purchasing | Intellectual Property Policies | SAORI Instructor and Studio Registration

classes

Q: What makes SAORI classes unique and different from other free-style weaving classes?
A: We acknowledge that SAORI has some similarities with other free-style or free-form weaving practiced worldwide throughout the twelve-thousand-year-history of hand-weaving. However, at the same time, what SAORI encompasses is very profound and extensive, and so it seems very difficult or even impossible for us to describe only in words all the differences we feel there exists between SAORI and other free-style or free-form weaving. We would like to encourage each one of you to find your own answer through your own experiences of life-long SAORI practice.

That being said, it seems clear to us that there are some differences between SAORI and other free-style or free-form weaving. These differences originate with SAORI’s core philosophy and principles. While we practice SAORI and conduct SAORI classes at SAORINOMORI and other SAORI studios, we always try to be anchored in our core belief that every individual has a unique power to create. Helping us to stay anchored in this belief, we have the guiding principles represented by the following four slogans shared among everyone in the SAORI community. We believe that following these principles in SAORI classes help us nurture a unique and safe space for liberating the hidden natural creativity possessed by each weaver.

The Four Slogans of SAORI
1. Consider the differences between a machine and human being.
2. Be bold and adventurous.
3. Look out through eyes that shine.
4. Inspire one another and everyone in the community.

SAORI classes are paired with trained SAORI instructors, unique SAORI brand equipment and tools, carefully selected weaving materials and other open-minded class participants. All of these are rooted in the core belief and philosophy represented by the Four Slogans of SAORI. For this, SAORI classes create a truly open, inclusive, inspiring and safe environment for you to begin and nurture your long-lasting creative practice made individually and together with others in the SAORI community.

Some more thoughts about the above four slogans are available on the About SAORI page. For enriching and deepening your practice while continuing your own SAORI journey, we strongly encourage each one of you to continually revisit the four slogans of SAORI and Misao Jo’s writing in the book SAORI: Self-Innovation through Free Weaving. We believe you will hear different voices from those writings at different times, and this will give you the seeds of continual realization and discovery.

Q: What is the purpose for learning techniques in SAORI? Can I master SAORI if I learn all the techniques?
A: In the book “SAORI: Self-innovation through Free Weaving”, Misao Jo clarifies that the necessary steps for all weavers to take for learning and practicing SAORI are as follows.

Getting used to the operation of the loom
Trying various techniques
Developing your individual creativity after copying samples

In our understanding, learning techniques is related to steps (1) and (2). Later in the same writing, Misao Jo communicates what matters most in SAORI is step (3).

We believe learning and practicing techniques have two main purposes. One is to enable you to build a foundational knowledge and experiences to support your continual practice of hand weaving. The other is to liberate and expand your creative potential. Learning how to operate and use SAORI looms and other tools would serve the first purpose. Without knowing how to use tools like the SAORI loom and other unique accessories, you would not be able to enjoy the free-flowing, uninhibited hand weaving wholeheartedly. Learning various warping and weaving techniques would serve the second purpose. Knowing the various warping and weaving techniques would give more possibilities for you to express your aesthetic sense in your weaving. You can pick and use different techniques spontaneously, in the same way as you choose colours and materials of yarns randomly as you weave. Trying some weaving techniques that may not seem attractive at the first glance might open up a new possibility for you to explore your hidden creativity, in the same way as weaving with a colour of yarn that you do not like may eventually add an unexpected beauty to your weaving.

In SAORI, learning techniques is not a goal for taking a class. You learn techniques to build the foundation for you to begin and continue the endless creative practice for self-discovery and self-innovation. In SAORI your creative possibilities are infinite, and so there is no mastery or competency in the SAORI journey.

Q: What makes SAORI clothing design unique and different from conventional dressmaking?
A: As in weaving, we follow our core guiding principles represented by the Four Slogans of SAORI when making SAORI clothes. We encourage each one of you to be bold and adventurous while you create one-of-a-kind wearable art out of your own SAORI weaving. In SAORI clothing design, we do not use patterns like those used in western tailoring. We mostly cut the cloth straight, maintaining the precious hand-woven quality of the irregular selvages and fringes. We fold the SAORI fabric like Origami, or gather the parts spontaneously to make clothes. SAORI clothes created in this unconventional way drape and fit elegantly. The process of making SAORI clothes does not require proficient sewing skills. It will be enough if you can sew the parts together using a sewing machine and/or by hand-stitch. What matters most is if your weaving represents your authentic self.

More of our thoughts about SAORI clothing design is available in the Product Catalogue linked on the SAORI Looms & Resources page.

For making your adventurous steps forward in the path of weaving and making your own SAORI clothes, we strongly recommend that you receive continual inspiration and guidance by joining the SAORI classes available at SAORINOMORI and other SAORI studios within the SAORI Global Network. If you do not have access to any SAORI classes, start your path with the SAORI books as the best alternative. Read carefully and follow each step illustrated in each SAORI book. Trust your intuition, and enjoy yourself wholeheartedly, once your creative adventures begin.

Q: I am interested in learning more about SAORI. Where can I take a class?
A: SAORI Classes are offered at our SAORI studio locations in Japan as well as the Registered SAORI Studios located in various parts of the world. You can see the complete directory of studios within the SAORI Global Network affiliated with SAORI Global LLC to locate and contact a studio near you for more information on our Classes page.

Q: What if there are no Registered SAORI Studios located near me?
A: Although SAORI has spread steadily to many countries beyond Japan since its foundation, we understand that there are still many areas that do not have direct access to existing Registered SAORI Studios. We are doing our absolute best within our capabilities as a small but busy family operation in Japan to improve access to information and guidance through print and online resources, particularly for such weavers around the world.

As we continue to work on this, we do hope that you will be able to visit an existing Registered SAORI Studio whenever possible, and in the meantime, we encourage you to start learning more about SAORI on your own by ordering our book SAORI: Self-Innovation Through Free Weaving. This book is an invaluable resource for learning about all aspects of SAORI. Also, if you are interested in beginning your own practice of SAORI, you can purchase a SAORI loom and begin weaving using the instructions provided with the loom and within the book. To place an order, please contact a Registered SAORI Studio in your country or our headquarters in Japan if there is none.

Q: How can I make arrangements to take a class to learn about SAORI in Japan?
A: For information about our SAORI studio locations in Japan and the classes and accommodations we offer, please see our Visit page.

Q: Are reservations required for classes and accommodations?
A: Yes, reservations for all classes and accommodations at SAORI locations are required and made online via the SAORI Global scheduling website. Bookings are available 5 months prior to the first day of the month during which the chosen session is scheduled. For example, online booking for SAORI Retreats scheduled in July 2021 would begin on February 1, 2021. Visit our SAORI Experiences page for information about availability and making a reservation.

Q: Is pre-payment required and what kinds of payment do you take?
A: For all SAORI Retreats, we will process payment for the Session Fee plus 10% consumption tax at the time of booking. Pre-payment for 1-Day Visitors’ Class sessions is also required at the time of booking. We accept online credit card payments via Square, accepting most internationally-issued magstripe or chip cards bearing a Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club and Discover.

Q: How much do materials cost for each class?
A: The session fees of Multi-day SAORI Retreats offered at SAORINOMORI in Izumi do not include material costs, which are determined by weight and vary for each participant. Materials include cotton, wool, jute, silk, cashmere, linen and more and range in price, starting at JPY20 per gram. Our staff will record the cost of materials used each day in addition to other items purchased during the session and request payment at the end of the participant's session. We accept payment for all remaining balances at our studio locations by Japanese Yen cash or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, Diners Club and Discover).

The session fee of the 1-Day Visitors’ Class includes the material costs for weaving with cotton, wool, silk, linen and organic cotton, depending on the availability at different times. If you would like to add cashmere to your choice of fibers to weave with, please order the Cashmere Add-On Fee when you make a reservation.

Please see the SAORI Experiences page for more information about the classes offered at our studio locations in Japan.

Q: What are the accommodations like at SAORINOMORI in Izumi, Osaka? Will I be provided with a private room?
A: The SAORINOMORI Weavers' Condo is located just a few minutes walking distance from the studio and is only offered to SAORI Retreat participants at our SAORINOMORI studio headquarters in Izumi, Osaka. Each retreat participant is provided with a private room within the shared apartment. Photos and additional details about the SAORINOMORI Weavers’ Condo can be found on our SAORI Experiences page.

Q: Are there restaurants and markets near the studio and accommodations?
A: There are several restaurants, supermarkets and convenience stores nearby where visitors may purchase food and drinks. However, if you have specific dietary restrictions or needs, we suggest bringing some of your own supplies just in case. For some with severe allergies, a printed, dining card outlining these needs in Japanese may also be helpful.

Q: Is there internet access in SAORINOMORI Weavers' Condo?
A: There is internet access available in the condo for light data use only, such as sending occasional emails and messages, but not for downloading files or streaming video or music content. If you need a pocket WIFI router to travel with, and/or if you would like to transfer large data and/or make video calls, we recommend you rent a pocket WiFi router from service providers such as PuPuRu WiFi and WiFi Rental Store. Do research on the internet and choose the most appropriate option for you.

Q: Is there a telephone available for me to use at SAORINOMORI Weavers' Condo?
A: There is no landline telephone set up in SAORINOMORI Weavers’ Condo. Please prepare and use a mobile phone that can make voice calls inside Japan if you would like to make phone calls during your stay.

We recommend each of you to check with your mobile phone service provider about the international roaming arrangement before departing your country. Each country has a uniquely different telephone network, and so it is important that you make sure your phone can work in Japan as you wish. If it is possible and you are happy to pay for the international roaming rates, activate the international roaming option for your phone before your departure.

It is also possible for you to purchase a Japanese prepaid SIM card to use with your phone, or to rent a mobile phone that you use within Japan. We have service providers such as JAL ABC and Japan Travel SIM. Do research on the internet and choose the most appropriate option for you.

Q: Can I cancel my reservation after booking?
A: If for some reason participants choose not to attend a class session they have booked and paid for, we will issue a refund up to 70% of the deposit depending on the cancellation date. A minimum of 30% cancellation fees will be retained to cover the fees charged to us when issuing refunds. For more details, please visit our Studio Policies page.

Q: I would like to participate in a 1-day Visitor Class at SAORINOMORI in Izumi. Do you have any recommendations of hotels in Izumi or in Osaka?
A: SAORINOMORI in Izumi is located a day trip distance from major train stations in downtown Osaka, such as JR Osaka/Umeda Station and Namba Station. Downtown Osaka would serve as a great base for you not only to visit SAORINOMORI in Izumi, but also to see, eat and shop in Osaka and to visit some popular sightseeing sites in the Kansai area, such as Kyoto, Kobe and Nara.

If you would like to consider booking an accommodation in Izumi city, we have two hotels in Izumi operated by one of the major hotel chains in Japan.

Please note that the above Route Inn Hotels are not within walking distances from SAORINOMORI. We recommend you take a taxi to transport between either of the above Route Inn Hotels and SAORINOMORI. (Approx. JPY2,500, 20 min.).

For international visitors looking for accommodations in Japan, several online reservation sites are listed on the official Japan Travel website.

We also welcomed some international visitors in the past who booked accommodations among the hosting services listed on the websites such as Airbnb. Do research on the internet and choose the most appropriate option for you.

pRODUCTS

Q: What makes SAORI brand products unique and different from other weaving equipment and tools?
A: The simple answer is twofold: accessibility and flow. When creating the very first one-of-a-kind SAORI loom, Misao Jo and her family had one primary goal: to create a loom that would be as easy to use as possible and best suited for all individuals to explore their creativity through free-flowing, uninhibited hand weaving. This purpose is embedded in each and every SAORI loom. Through their design, SAORI looms and weaving accessories make an unparalleled flow of weaving possible for anyone, regardless of age, previous experience, and physical or intellectual capability. Every design aspect carefully considers the human body and experience so that within a matter of minutes and lasting for a span of hours on end, one can sit down at a SAORI loom and feel the ease, joy and satisfaction of being able to express oneself. When using a SAORI loom, the weaver finds a natural rhythm with the loom, becoming fully immersed in a state of flow and becoming one with the cloth itself. Weaving is like breathing for many in our SAORI community.

Now for more than 50 years as the movement and practice has continued to develop, the Jo family has worked hard to maintain the ease of use, accessibility and quality of all SAORI looms and weaving accessories to best support the long-lasting practices of SAORI by individuals and communities in Japan and all around the world. Since 1969, SAORI looms and products have integrated feedback from the entire SAORI community as part of an evolving and collaborative design process.

For more information about SAORI products, please read the SAORI Looms and Resources page and our online Product Catalogue linked there.

Q: Why do the original SAORI looms have only two harnesses?
A: While traditional floor looms usually have a minimum of four harnesses, SAORI looms only have two—they are unconventional. In fact, SAORI is about more than weaving and should not be compared to the activity of weaving on other, conventional looms. SAORI is about discovering and exploring one’s true, creative self and developing a deep practice and conversation with oneself and others. And, Misao Jo found that the most accessible and impactful way for people to begin and sustain that practice was through free-flowing, uninhibited hand weaving. By focusing on the most basic mechanics of weaving, achieved with two harnesses instead of multiple harnesses, but still benefiting from the versatility of a floor loom instead of a purely hand-operated loom, individuals can find a natural state of flow that encourages them to express themselves freely and weave what only human hands and spirit can. Believe it or not, but seeming limitations actually benefit human creativity and inspire innovation. In SAORI, we often say, “Plain weaving appeals to new weavers due to its simplicity and to long-time weavers due to its sophistication.”

Q: What are the differences between each model?
A: Refer to the comparison chart on the Product Catalogue linked on the SAORI Looms & Resources page to see all available features and options. Wooden frame models are popular for their classic style, while metal frame models are popular for their durability, especially if transported between various locations and used outdoors. The designer’s favorite is the SAORI CH60 for its compact design, ease of use and maximum comfort provided while weaving.

Q: Why are the 60 & 40 Series the primary looms in SAORI?
A: We recommend the SAORI 60 & 40 Series as the primary looms and the 90 series as the secondary loom for extended possibilities. The 60 & 40 looms are more versatile ergonomically and functionally. Many SAORI Weavers feel the 60 & 40 Series match their body sizes and let them feel an unparalleled flow while weaving. Cloth width between 20cm and 60cm is generally considered to be best suited for making SAORI clothes. To extend the size of clothing, we usually recommend weaving longer and sewing multiple panels together to add sizes rather than creating a bigger single panel with a wider cloth. This will enhance your freedom and enjoyment of SAORI clothing design.

Q: Do SAORI products come with instructions?
A: Currently all SAORI equipment offered internationally comes with Users’ Guides in English only. Most of the Users’ Guides include visual guidance of images and photos, aiming to support many in the international community who are not native in English. Please note the Users’ Guides enclosed in the SAORI looms are prepared to assist assembling and initial set-up of the looms. For further guidance and troubleshooting to support your life-long practice of warping, weaving and clothes making, refer to the book “SAORI: Self-Innovation through Free Weaving” available for you to purchase separately.

purchasing

Q: Where can I purchase a SAORI loom?
A: SAORI looms and products are available for purchase from Registered SAORI Studios, which you can see listed here. If there are any Registered SAORI Studios in your country, please contact one directly for more information about placing an order there as we do not sell our products directly to customers in countries where there are already registered studios. However, if you are located in a country where there are none, please contact us through the online form prepared on the Contact page so we can try to assist you directly from Japan.

Q: I am from a country with Registered SAORI Studios. Can I purchase a SAORI loom while I am in Japan?A: If you live in a country where there are already Registered SAORI Studios, please contact one in your own country for more information about placing an order there as we basically do not sell our SAORI loom directly to customers in countries where there are already Registered SAORI Studios. This sales policy aims to encourage the customers in countries with Registered SAORI Studios to make a local connection for continued guidance and support as well as community, which we believe is vital for nurturing and sustaining a practice of SAORI. This policy is also intended to support the sustainability of the Registered SAORI Studios, who offer the essential service for nurturing the continued SAORI practice among the community around them.

We make an exception for the visitors who have participated in our Multi-day SAORI Retreat offered at SAORINOMORI in Izumi. If you have participated in our Multi-day SAORI Retreat and wish to purchase a SAORI loom to take home, we will be happy to assist your purchase so that you can continue your SAORI practice after going home.

If you intend to purchase a SAORI loom in Japan and take it with you after participating in our Multi-day SAORI Retreat, please understand that the minimum production lead time required for producing SAORI looms is about 10 business days. Please plan well ahead of time and contact us through the online form prepared on the Contact page at least one month prior to the date of your departure from Japan if you are considering purchasing a SAORI loom to take home. We apply our Sales Policy clarified on the Sales Policy page to all loom purchases and we can accept an order of one SAORI loom per person. We will decline any and all purchase orders intended for activities that have infringed or hold an intention to infringe upon our trademark and intellectual property rights at some future date.

If we can be confident about your agreement with our Sales Policies, we will do our best to coordinate with you to have the SAORI loom ready at SAORINOMORI in Izumi if you would like to pick it up there. We can also arrange a domestic delivery to your temporary address in Japan (i.e. hotels) and to your departure airport for an extra charge.

Please also note that we are not responsible for any damaged or lost products you may experience after the goods are picked up or depart from SAORINOMORI in Izumi. Please carry your purchased products at your own risk.

Q: I am from a country with no Registered SAORI Studios. Can I purchase a SAORI loom while I am in Japan?
A: If you live in a country where there are no Registered SAORI Studios, please make a reservation with us before you travel to Japan, by contacting us through the Contact page. Visitors to Japan can purchase and pick up our SAORI products only at our SAORINOMORI in Izumi to take home. Please understand, however, that we can sell our products only to the visitors, who agree with our Sales Policy clarified on the Sales Policy page.

We do not have a Registered SAORI Studio in your country, who can give you the close service and support to assist your SAORI practice continued back home. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you participate in a multi-day SAORI Retreat offered at SAORINOMORI in Izumi before purchasing a SAORI loom. This will help you to obtain the foundational knowledge and experience to support the continuity of your SAORI practice after going home.

If you intend to purchase a SAORI loom in Japan and take it with you, please understand that the minimum production lead time required for producing SAORI looms is about 10 business days. Please plan well ahead of time and contact us through the online form prepared on the Contact page at least one month prior to the date of your departure from Japan if you are considering purchasing a SAORI loom to carry home. We apply our Sales Policy clarified on the Sales Policy page to all loom purchases and we can accept an order of one SAORI loom per person. We will decline any and all purchase orders intended for activities that have infringed or hold an intention to infringe upon our trademark and intellectual property rights at some future date.

Q: Can I purchase other SAORI products (i.e. yarn, books, ready-made warps and tools) while I am in Japan?
A: Visitors to Japan can purchase our products in person only at our SAORINOMORI in Izumi to take home. We must ask you to come to SAORINOMORI in Izumi, because SAORI Global LLC currently does not have the people power and structural arrangements to assist the purchases made at other SAORI locations. We would be deeply grateful, if you could try to make purchases through SAORI Global LLC at SAORINOMORI in Izumi, because the revenue we could receive from your purchases will help SAORI Global LLC to continue all of the work we have been doing for nurturing the international SAORI community. We also believe it would be the best for you to shop at our SAORINOMORI in Izumi, because we have the widest variety of SAORI products available at SAORINOMORI in Izumi, and we may not have your desired products available in other SAORI locations.

If you would like to make a reservation with us to shop at our SAORINOMORI in Izumi, please plan well ahead of time and contact us through the online form prepared on the Contact page. We apply our Sales Policy clarified on the Sales Policy page to all product purchases. We will decline any and all purchase orders intended for activities that have infringed or hold an intention to infringe upon our trademark and intellectual property rights at some future date.

Q: What are the prices applied to the SAORI products that we can purchase in Japan?
A: For the products purchased and picked-up within Japan, we will apply our prices in Japanese Yen. Our Japanese Yen prices are based on the domestic retail prices applied to our products distributed and used within Japan. Please also understand that the 10% consumption tax will be charged separately on the total costs for the purchased goods and fees.

Depending on the currency exchange rates traded in the market at each time, our Japanese Yen prices may seem less expensive than the street prices that are applied to our products sold in other countries. However, please note that our Japanese Yen prices are basically determined for the customers who live and work in Japan, and the true value of our products sold in Japan cannot be measured by converting the prices to a different currency by the market rate that fluctuates all time.

In addition, the street price applied to the products available outside Japan includes the business costs and delivery costs that are essential for us to maintain our invaluable network of Registered SAORI Studios, which allows us to distribute our SAORI products and resources internationally. If you do live in a country where there are Registered SAORI Studios, your cooperation in purchasing our products through the Registered SAORI Studio that you receive support from will greatly help us maintain the quality of services and network in the long term. This will also help ensure the continuous availability of close services and support that you can receive from the said Registered SAORI Studio.

Q: Can I purchase SAORI products directly from Japan after I participate in a class at SAORINOMORI and return to my home country?
A: You may purchase our products in person while you are in Japan. However, as mentioned in a previous question above, we do not sell our products directly to customers in countries where there are already Registered SAORI Studios. And so, if you live in such a country, please review the complete directory of existing studios here once you return home and contact one for information about placing an order. If you live in a country where there are no existing studios, please contact us through the online form prepared on the Contact page.

Q: Can I ask my friend and family living in Japan to purchase the SAORI products such as a SAORI loom and have them sent to my country?
A: We distribute the SAORI products within Japan for customers to receive and use the goods within Japan only. For international purchases, please contact us through the online form prepared on the Contact page. We also decline any international orders involving other entities located in Japan, which include but are not limited to your friends, relatives and third-party international shipping services. We have this important sales policy in order to prevent the delivery problems such as delays, losses and damages of our valued products. Thank you very much for your kind understanding.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY POLICIES

Q: Is SAORI a general Japanese term that anyone can use freely?
A: SAORI is the name used as the trademark and service mark of a mission-driven brand, which is officially registered in Japan and other countries in order to protect the common interest shared by the entire SAORI community. We will not permit the unfair and disrespectful usage, reproduction and appropriation of any aspect of SAORI, including but not limited to its name, concept, tangible products, resources, classes and services provided by the founder family organizations and their affiliated entities. The use of the name and any aspect of SAORI must always be done based on our official written permission, and also in a way to be respectful to the founder family, their family organizations, their affiliated business entities and others in the SAORI community. The SAORI community is a collaborative and creative network that supports and inspires each other to maintain this invaluable ecosystem. SAORI, as a global movement, could not have evolved to be what it is today without the past and the continued dedication and contributions made by everyone within the community as a whole. Being the source of the SAORI brand, we reserve our right and liberty to decide when, where and how our brand name and other intellectual properties connected to it are used, in order to protect the common interests shared among the entire SAORI community.

Q: What does the name SAORI stand for?
A: SAORI (さをり) is uniquely spelled in Japanese alphabets (Hiragana) including “を”, that is rarely used as a part of a name. This unique spelling originated from how the name was made up. SAORI includes “を” instead of the more commonly-used character “お”, which has a similar sound, because “を” is a part of the founder’s name: Misao (みさを).

When she began weaving at the age of 57, Misao Jo originally used the term SAORI (さをり) to identify her own weaving, sao (さを) being a contraction of her name (みさを) and ori (織り=おり) meaning ‘weaving’ in Japanese.

Later as she deepened her own practice of weaving and realized that it was much more than a personal hobby and had a profound capacity to impact the lives of other individuals, Misao Jo extended the significance of the name SAORI beyond herself and connected it to the Japanese word sai (差異), which means ‘difference.’ There are many words that can mean ‘difference,’ but this word specifically does not mean difference between objects in comparison, but rather difference amongst objects, each with their own dignity.

Visit our What is SAORI? page to read more about the SAORI origins.

Q: I own a SAORI loom. Can I call myself a "SAORI Weaver" and call my weaving "SAORI Weaving" on my personal website / blog / social media?
A: We are grateful that you have selected our SAORI products to assist your personal creative practice. Since SAORI is the trademark and service mark of a mission-driven brand, we will be grateful that everyone who uses the SAORI name in public communication would be mindful of the integrity of SAORI’s unique brand values. SAORI is not only the name of the philosophy, tools, materials, classes, instructors, techniques, the style of weaving, or hand-woven items. SAORI is the brand name of all of them integrated together. For this, the ownership of a SAORI brand loom cannot be sufficient for us to encourage someone to be called a SAORI Weaver. If you would like to join the community of SAORI Weavers, we strongly encourage you to read the SAORI books and participate in the SAORI classes offered by an official SAORI instructor. SAORI classes create a truly open, inclusive, inspiring and safe environment for you to liberate the creative potential hidden inside yourself. This will help you to nurture the SAORI mind-set and to build the durable foundation for your life-long creative practice made through weaving with your SAORI loom. We would be grateful if you are always anchored by the SAORI’s core philosophy and principles when you express yourself while weaving and communicating on your website, blog and social media as a SAORI Weaver.

If, however, you are interested in using the SAORI name for selling your hand-woven items, please see the answer to the question, “Can I use the SAORI name for selling my hand-woven items?” presented separately below.

Q: I do not own a SAORI loom. But I have read SAORI books and/or taken SAORI classes and I believe I have been weaving on my other makers’ loom with SAORI philosophy and mind-set. Can I call myself a "SAORI Weaver" and call my weaving "SAORI Weaving" on my personal website / blog / social media?
A: We are grateful that you have read SAORI books and taken SAORI classes to cultivate a SAORI mind-set for your own personal creative practice. Since SAORI is the trademark and service mark of a mission-driven brand, we will be grateful that everyone who uses the SAORI name in public communication would be mindful of the integrity of SAORI’s unique brand values. SAORI is not only the name of the philosophy, tools, materials, classes, instructors, techniques, the style of weaving, or hand-woven items. SAORI is the brand name of all of them integrated together. For this, having only the SAORI mind-set cannot be sufficient for us to encourage someone to be called a SAORI Weaver. If you would like to join the community of SAORI Weavers, we strongly encourage you to cultivate a SAORI mind-set and practice through weaving with official SAORI products.

Through their design, SAORI looms and weaving accessories make an unparalleled flow of weaving possible for anyone, regardless of age, previous experience, and physical or intellectual capability. Every design aspect carefully considers the human body and experience so that within a matter of minutes and lasting for a span of hours on end, one can sit down at a SAORI loom and feel the ease, joy and satisfaction of being able to express oneself. When using a SAORI loom, the weaver finds a natural rhythm with the loom, becoming fully immersed in a state of flow and becoming one with the cloth itself. Weaving is like breathing for many in our SAORI community. Weaving with the official SAORI loom and tools will help you more deeply anchored by the SAORI’s core philosophy and principles and create a stronger foundation for you to continue your life-long creative practice. We would be grateful if you are always mindful of the integrity of SAORI’s unique brand values when you express yourself while weaving and communicating on your website, blog and social media as a SAORI Weaver.

Q: Can I offer classes to share with others what I learned through SAORI classes that I participated in at SAORINOMORI and/or other SAORI studios?
A: The purpose of the classes we offer at SAORINOMORI, other family SAORI organizations and within the SAORI Global Network of Registered Studios is to guide each participant to be able to begin and nurture their foundational experience of SAORI weaving, which will support their own creative life-long practice. Any class participant may not use the information received during the SAORI classes for other purposes. The ownership of any information, materials and resources we provide during SAORI classes in any manner, whether orally, visually or in tangible form (including but not limited to in writing) belongs to Sakaiseikisangyo Co., Ltd. We do not allow any other parties to use our intellectual property in the classes and other services they offer without our official written permission. This applies to classes and other services offered by other parties in any manner, including but not limited to in-person, online, live, video, or tangible form (including written materials), regardless of whether the classes and other services are offered with or without charge. The unauthorized use of our intellectual property would be subject to legal reprisal and consequences.

Q: Can I offer classes to share with others what I learned through SAORI classes that I participated in at SAORINOMORI and/or other SAORI studios, if I do not use the term SAORI as my business or service or class name?
A: SAORI is the trademark and service mark associated with the mission driven brand. For this, the authorization of use of the SAORI name and any aspect of SAORI, including but not limited to its name, concept, tangible products, resources, classes and services provided by the founder family organizations and their affiliated entities, come together hand in hand. We do not allow any entity to reproduce our products or services without our official written permission.　The unauthorized use of our intellectual property would be subject to legal reprisal and consequences.

Q: Can I use SAORI products in my weaving classes if I am not a SAORI Registered instructor?
A: We distribute our unique and valuable products and resources aiming to support and nurture the life-long creative practice of each individual weaver. The products themselves are a part of our intellectual property, and so we do not allow any entity to use our SAORI brand products for different purposes without our official written permission. Covering or hiding the SAORI logo on the equipment to try to bypass the formal procedure is also not allowed. The unauthorized use of our intellectual property would be subject to legal reprisal and consequences.

Q: I work as a weaving teacher in a school. Can the school purchase and use SAORI products in the classes that I teach and/or a part of activities within the school?
A: We highly appreciate that our SAORI products are chosen to assist your students to cultivate their creative potential through learning the art of hand-weaving. We are also grateful that we are able to collaborate with you and your school in extending the possibility to hand down the knowledge and tradition of weaving to the future generations. Using the SAORI products in classes offered solely within the educational organizations will be considered to be a part of personal creative practice made within each school.

If you and/or your students are interested to learn more about SAORI as a movement and integrated practice, we strongly encourage you and your students to read the SAORI books and join the SAORI classes offered by an official SAORI instructor. SAORI classes create a truly open, inclusive, inspiring and safe environment for you and your students to liberate the creative potential hidden inside each one of you.

Q: I work for an organization to support people with disabilities. Can the organization purchase and use the SAORI looms as a part of the cultural, rehabilitation and training activities made within the organization?
A: We appreciate that there are many weavers with different abilities practicing SAORI as a part of activities within the organizations they belong to. Using the SAORI products in the activities made solely within an organization will be considered to be a personal creative practice among the members belonging to each organization.

We believe SAORI experiences can liberate each member’s creative potential, and this will help each member to nourish the satisfaction of expressing his/her authentic self through hand-weaving and to build the confidence to live a unique and creative life. In order to nurture a truly safe space for liberating the hidden natural creativity possessed by each member, we strongly encourage your organization to have all supporting staff participate in the classes offered by an official SAORI instructor and to practice SAORI for themselves. It is very important that your supporting staff are also anchored by SAORI’s core philosophy and principles and have the foundational experience of weaving with SAORI looms and accessories. Without having the SAORI mind-set or knowing how to use the unique tools like our SAORI looms and accessories, it will be very difficult for the staff to respect each weaver’s creative potential and support the long-lasting SAORI practice made among the members of your organization.

If your organization is interested in using the SAORI name for selling the hand-woven items created by the members and staff within the organization, please see the answer to the question, “Can I use the SAORI name for selling my hand-woven items?” presented separately below.

Q: Can I share what I learned through SAORI classes that I participated in at SAORINOMORI and/or other SAORI studios with others in the group that I belong to?
A: We understand that there are groups of weavers practicing SAORI together as a part of activities within an organization such as institutions, associations and societies. If you belong to one of such groups, you can informally share your understanding or knowledge obtained through attending SAORI classes with other members of the group you belong to. This would be considered to be a part of your personal creative practice. In doing this, we strongly encourage you to have your demonstration paired with SAORI brand equipment and the official SAORI books for assisting with deeper learning for the group.

We will strongly encourage you or the group to facilitate SAORI classes periodically to enrich the learning experiences among the group members, and in doing so, the group shall from time-to-time invite an official SAORI instructor to conduct classes paired with SAORI brand tools and equipment.

When a group or individual loans or rents a SAORI loom to one of the members of the group or to an individual, we strongly encourage the weaver to purchase/rent an official SAORI book to deepen their understanding of the values of the equipment that they are trying. We believe having the SAORI equipment paired with a SAORI book is the best alternative when an official SAORI instructor cannot be with the group or an individual weaver all the time.

Q: I am a professional weaver. Can I use the SAORI products to weave fabrics for my profession?
A: We are grateful that our SAORI products are selected to assist your professional exploration. Every design aspect of our SAORI looms and weaving accessories carefully considers the human body and experience so that within a matter of minutes and lasting for a span of hours on end, one can sit down at a SAORI loom and feel the ease, joy and satisfaction of being able to express oneself. When using a SAORI loom, the weaver finds a natural rhythm with the loom, becoming fully immersed in a state of flow and becoming one with the cloth itself. Weaving is like breathing for many in our SAORI community. We believe our SAORI looms and weaving accessories will greatly support your long-lasting creative journey as a professional weaver.

If, however, you are interested in using the SAORI name for selling your hand-woven items, please see the following Q&A for more details.

If you are interested to learn more about SAORI as a movement and integrated practice, and/or if you are considering to obtain our permission of using the SAORI name for selling your hand-woven items, we strongly encourage you to read the SAORI books and join the SAORI classes offered by an official SAORI instructor. SAORI classes create a truly open, inclusive, inspiring and safe environment for you to liberate the creative potential hidden inside yourself. SAORI experiences may open different possibilities for you.

Q: Can I use the SAORI name for selling my hand-woven items?
A: Since SAORI is the name of our mission driven brand, we allow other parties to use the SAORI name for selling their hand-woven items only if they promise to adhere to our agreement and obtain our official written permission.

We request you, no matter if you are an organization or an individual, to obtain our official written permission, if you intend to use the word SAORI to call your hand-woven items (i.e. SAORI shawls, SAORI bags, SAORI purses etc.) for the purpose of selling.

By adhering to our agreement, you are ensuring that you are practicing SAORI and creating the hand-woven items deeply resonating and connected with SAORI as a movement, practice and mission-driven brand. You are also ensuring that your SAORI woven items represent SAORI's core philosophy celebrating the expressions of individual dignity through hand weaving and its inseparable connection to the tangible products, such as SAORI looms, the founder Misao Jo, the history and the intangible unique values embraced in SAORI as a whole. You are not allowed to use the SAORI name for selling your hand-woven items if you do not adhere to our agreement or do not have our official written permission.

If you are an individual, and would like to call yourself a SAORI Weaver when selling your hand-woven items, we request that you promise to protect the integrity of SAORI’s unique brand values when weaving and selling your hand-woven items as a SAORI Weaver. Our expectation and request is that you have practiced SAORI using the official SAORI loom and tools that you own at least for a couple of years before requesting our official permission. We also expect that you are able to explain to your customers the values of SAORI with your own words rooted in your own SAORI experiences. We will not give you our official permission if we cannot have confidence in your ability and capacity to represent our brand values when weaving and selling your SAORI woven items. You are not allowed to call yourself a SAORI Weaver when selling your hand-woven items if you do not have our official written permission.

By using the SAORI name for selling your hand-woven items, you are promising that you will not misuse the trademark rights owned by the founder family and their family organizations, their attempts of registration of, or application to register such trademark, alone or in combination with other words, anywhere in the world. We will not allow a misuse of our brand name by any entities in a way that is liable to confuse the integrity of SAORI's brand values.

For example, if you are selling your SAORI woven items, we expect and request at least:

If you are an individual weaver, you have made continual SAORI practice using the official SAORI loom and tools for more than two years.
You own and will use a SAORI loom and tools to create your weaving to be sold.
You will weave the items in the SAORI way, so that they do not look like uniformly machine-made weaving.
You will include the text "Woven with a SAORI loom and the SAORI name used ONLY with permission from SAORI Global LLC.” and the link to www.saoriglobal.com in the webpage if you are selling your SAORI woven items online.
You will use SAORI looms and tools any time you plan to demonstrate your hand-weaving process to others when selling your SAORI woven items in person.
You will discontinue selling SAORI woven items if you become unable to fulfill any of the above requirements in the future.

In order to maintain the reasonable consistency of brand values represented in the hand-woven items sold under the SAORI name, we ask every entity wanting to sell SAORI woven items while using the SAORI name, to contact us at info@saoriglobal.com to obtain our official permission. When requesting our official written approval of the usage of our brand name in your weaving, please reserve at least 2 months for our careful communication, assessment and consideration before a decision can be made.

We will decline requests from any entities who have not been prepared to fulfill the minimum requirements listed above.

Q: What are the fundamental policies about the usage of the SAORI name, logo and other intellectual property embraced within the SAORI brand as a whole?
A: While we truly appreciate the growing interest in SAORI, we realize the increased need for us to clarify our expectation toward how it is practiced and shared among the greater community worldwide. SAORI is not only the name for the philosophy, tools, materials, classes, instructors, techniques, the style of weaving, or hand-woven items. SAORI is the brand name of all of them integrated together. We believe this approach will create the best environment and community where people with different backgrounds and abilities can liberate their own creativity through hand-weaving. As a tree has its roots fastened deep while it grows, we are committed to protect the integrity of SAORI’s profound and unique brand values while it spreads out more globally. If the tree is deeply rooted, the soil around it will stay rich and stable enough to help many uniquely different flowers bloom healthily with their own forms, flavours and colours.

With this purpose in mind, we will not permit the usage of our brand name in publications online or in print by any entity showing signs of disrespect to the core philosophy of SAORI, its inseparable connection to the tangible products, such as SAORI looms, and collective efforts and immense dedications made by the founder Misao Jo. This includes the entire Jo family, their family organizations and the others in the SAORI community who have supported each other directly and indirectly for more than 50 years in order to nurture SAORI as a movement and practice. We also do not allow any entity to use SAORI as a part of their business name, whether for profit or for non-profit, without written consent given by the authorizing company. Also, the use of our brand name in a way that is liable to confuse the integrity of SAORI's brand values is not allowed. We also do not allow any other entity to use our intellectual property, including but not limited to the information, materials and resources we provide in any manner, whether orally, visually or in tangible form (including but not limited to in writing) without our official written permission.

When requesting our official written approval of the usage of our brand name and any parts of our intellectual property, please reserve at least 6 months for our careful communication, assessment and consideration before a decision can be made.

Only organizations operated by the founder family and those belonging to the SAORI Global Network, such as Registered SAORI Studios, may use the SAORI Logo for advertising and promotional purposes based on the mutual agreement made between the authorizing company and each authorized entity.

The unauthorized use of our intellectual property would be subject to legal reprisal and consequences.

If you have any specific questions regarding our Intellectual Property Policies, please contact us through the form in the Contact page or email us at info@saoriglobal.com. We reserve our right to make changes to the above guidelines without prior notice to protect the common interest shared by the entire SAORI community.

saori instructor and studio registration

Q: Who are qualified SAORI Instructors?
A: Only the individuals registered to the SAORI Global Network, such as Registered SAORI Studio Instructors, are officially qualified as SAORI instructors. As the representatives of the original family company and community started by SAORI’s founder, Misao Jo, the SAORI Global Network is comprised of studios that...

Offer classes using SAORI looms and weaving accessories, which have been designed specifically to empower all individuals to express themselves easily and freely and are best suited for the practice of SAORI;
Are specially trained and committed to sharing SAORI and continuing Misao Jo’s legacy by providing unique spaces, tools and guidance for individuals of all abilities and previous experiences to discover and develop their true, creative selves;
Share our company’s mission and belief in SAORI’s exceptionally accessible and wide-ranging capacity to build a global community and create an inclusive, harmonious and inspired world.

Visit the Classes page to see the complete directory of Registered SAORI Studios.

Q: Why is instructor training so important in SAORI?
A: For us, each official SAORI Instructor within the SAORI Global Network is like Misao Jo. In the history of SAORI, there was Misao Jo first, and other aspects of SAORI, such as the philosophy, practice, tangible products, studios and weavers, developed and gathered surrounding her positioning in the center of the circle. This is how the SAORI community grew and evolved. In other words, if Misao Jo did not exist, SAORI could not have evolved to be what it is now. Similarly, each of the official SAORI Instructors within the SAORI Global Network represents the SAORI values and anchors each SAORI studio and its connected community. Without the official SAORI Instructors, the SAORI community cannot grow or evolve. This is why we are very serious about the training and registration process for an official SAORI Instructor within the SAORI Global Network.

As described in detail within the History of SAORI page, before Misao Jo began hand weaving, she went through a very challenging but impactful realization process through her “Ikebana Incident”. She learned from her own immediate experiences that the instructor’s mind-set is important to be able to liberate others to explore their own creative capacity.

She and her family also confirmed the importance of SAORI instructors’ mind-set and attitudes through interacting with many other weavers while the SAORI practice and community evolved. One of the most impactful episodes for the Jo family was the encounter with the young weavers with intellectual disabilities and their instructor living and weaving together in the Kongo Colony, in Osaka, Japan. The story about weavers in the Kongo Colony is available for you to read in the Product Catalogue linked on the SAORI Looms & Resources page.

We believe SAORI instructors must be deeply rooted in the core belief that everyone has the unique power to create. They also need to liberate themselves from the conventional way of thinking, in order to be able to support the foundation of the truly safe environment where all weavers can be creative: a SAORI Studio. As it requires time and a continual nourishment for a tree to grow deeper, it requires time and continual practice for a SAORI instructor to be deeply rooted and committed to follow SAORI principles while weaving for themselves and guiding others.

If the tree is deeply rooted, the soil around it will stay rich and stable enough to help many uniquely different flowers bloom healthily with their own forms, flavours and colours. Similarly, if the instructors themselves can liberate themselves from a conventional way of thinking and be deeply anchored to believe and respect everyone’s unique potential, they can cultivate the uniquely different sensibilities of each weaver to enrich everyone’s creative journey. To actualize this vision in reality, it is very important that the instructors themselves realize that it is really possible based on their tangible SAORI experiences and practice, not only by understanding SAORI in words.

It is also important that the instructors themselves continue to weave in order to stay anchored and open to inspire and be inspired by one another and everyone in the community. The SAORI instructors embody the SAORI philosophy and principles. They themselves continue their own endless journey of self-discovery and self-innovation, being deeply connected with themselves and others through their own SAORI practice. In this sense, becoming a SAORI instructor is not a goal. It is rather the beginning of a life-long journey of even deeper practice and learning experiences to grow together with others in the community.

Q: How do I become a Registered SAORI Instructor?
A: We are no longer offering training or registration for any new instructors or studios within the SAORI Global Network affiliated with our company until further notice. We are beyond grateful for the growth we have seen in the SAORI community all over the world. However, demands from that growth have increased to the point where we now consider it irresponsible to continue expanding before focusing energy inward and strengthening our company’s own core and capacity. We do not take this difficult decision lightly and feel that ultimately, we must take immediate action in order to redefine and maintain the values of what we aim to offer and improve our ability to sustain SAORI as a philosophy, practice and mission-driven brand for the existing and growing community at large.

We truly hope that those who wish to share SAORI with others in connection to our family’s organization can understand and respect our reasoning for taking this time to pause and reevaluate. Without this reflection, we feel we would be doing more harm than good to the long-term continuation of the passion and integrity with which Misao Jo and those who worked closely with her originally developed the movement and practice of SAORI.

We welcome you to visit our SAORINOMORI studio headquarters in Izumi, Osaka if you are still interested, but we must be clear that the classes we offer are not to be considered training to become a Registered SAORI Instructor. They are meant to encourage and develop creative and personal growth through a practice of SAORI for all interested participants without a focus on any specific objective, such as studio registration, in mind.

We will make another announcement as soon as we resume the official training and registration process, but until then, we earnestly encourage you to continue to deepen and expand your practice through weaving on your own and with others, especially by connecting with the community of existing Registered SAORI Studios. We genuinely believe there is no end to learning through SAORI and that practicing the philosophy through not only weaving but also how we conduct all aspects of our lives is a continual journey that can only become richer through connecting deeply with others.