Sanada Cords
The Samurai Ties That Bind
Information
Sanada Cords is perhaps the world’s narrowest woven textile.
Each and every thread contains around 400 years of Japanese history and tradition. Originally created by Sanada Yukimura, one of the greatest samurai to have ever lived during the Warring States Period, their tasteful design and functional beauty inspired the great tea master Sen no Rikyu to fasten his tea ceremony utensils with these fine yet durable cords. But sadly, with the effects of the pandemic still rampant, the future of Sanada Cord is now uncertain.
Join us in a deep dive into these historical ties that connect the violent Warring States Period and tea ceremony. We interview Sanada Himo artisans, textile professors, and even the head of the Urasenke school of tea ceremony to learn more about their perspectives on the history and appeal of Sanada Cords, and to find out what’s in store for the future for these historical cords.
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