Portland Japanese Garden Will Open NUNO Textile Exhibit
The exhibition Weaving Time showcases Japanese craftsmanship starting October 3.
Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in Needlework
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The Portland Japanese Garden will open an exhibition featuring works from the textile studio NUNO on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026. This showcase, titled Weaving Time: NUNO - Textiles of Tradition and Transformation, will remain on display through Feb. 14, 2027.
Why it matters
This exhibition highlights the fusion of traditional Japanese techniques with modern innovation, offering visitors a comprehensive look at the evolution of textile artistry. It provides a rare opportunity to engage directly with industrial design history through interactive installations.
The NUNO studio has produced over 2,500 textiles since its inception. Visitors can interact with 50 individual touchable textile samples provided within the exhibition space.
The players
NUNO
A Japanese textile studio founded in 1984 that is known for its blend of traditional weaving and innovative manufacturing processes.
Junichi Arai
He is the founder of the NUNO studio who established the firm in 1984 to explore new boundaries in textile design.
Reiko Sudo
She has served as the leader of NUNO since 1987 and has been instrumental in the studio's global recognition for textile innovation.
Portland Japanese Garden
Located in Portland, this organization operates a cultural space dedicated to Japanese traditions and art.
The details
The exhibition spans three main galleries, featuring spinning textile sculptures in the Pavilion Gallery and illuminated white fabric screens in the Calvin and Mayho Tanabe Gallery. On the West Veranda, visitors can view semi-translucent noren curtains specifically designed to shift with the natural movement of wind and light.
Timeline
The exhibition opens on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
The display is scheduled to close on Feb. 14, 2027.
The garden is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Culture Shift
This exhibition follows the pattern set by the ongoing revival of traditional Japanese craft in global contemporary design by elevating historical techniques into modern gallery spaces. It reflects a broader shift toward valuing tactile, artisan-led production methods in a high-tech age.
Residents and visitors can access the exhibition by paying the $22.50 adult admission price to the Portland Japanese Garden. The interactive nature of the exhibit allows guests to experience 50 touchable samples, changing how the public engages with textile textures firsthand.
The takeaway
Understanding the history of textile production offers a deeper appreciation for the materials found in everyday life. Visitors to the garden can use this exhibition to explore how traditional Japanese methods continue to influence contemporary design.
Further reading
Discover more about textile art and techniques in the Needlework section.
More information
For more information on the exhibition schedule and admission, visit the Portland Japanese Garden official website.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Oregon Live.
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