Noren

     Our Noren wall-hangings are beautiful, hand-dyed creations that are made by a Japanese artist-dyer who lives in Kyoto. Traditionally, Noren are pieces of fabric that are used in a Japanese house in a doorway, or as a room-divider. They are also used by stores or merchants as their "Open for Business" sign, and are positioned either in front of the store, or in the doorway, when the store first opens for the day. Sushi shops and restaurants often hang short Noren over the counter that customers sit at.

     Our Noren are custom ordered for our store, and are hand-dyed and often hand-painted. Noren are made by sewing two matching pieces of fabric together at the top, but leaving the center portion unsewn so that people can "pass through" the doorway.

     Noren can be made in all different kinds of fabrics such as cotton, linen, or silk. Heavier cotton Noren would be used in the Fall, Winter and Spring, and during the hot summer one would switch to a linen noren if it was available. But nowadays in Japan, with the advent of western style houses that have a central heating and air-conditioning system linen Noren have become popular to use all year round.

Below are some of the Noren we carry in our store.