Showcasing a Unique Traditional Craft
The Echigawa Bin-temari Museum, co-located with the Aishō Town Echigawa Library, introduces visitors to the fascinating craft of bin-temari—embroidered decorative balls enclosed in glass bottles—a tradition passed down in Echigawa since the Edo period (17th-19th centuries).
Admission is free, making it an accessible place to discover this cultural heritage.
Bin-temari are created by placing an embroidered ball—larger than the bottle’s opening—inside a flask-shaped glass bottle, a technique that has long intrigued artisans and viewers alike.
In the Meiji period (late 19th to early 20th century), this skill was taught secretly in sewing schools, and finished works were cherished as good-luck charms symbolizing harmony and even used as bridal gifts.
In 2011, Echigawa Bin-temari was officially recognized as a Traditional Craft of Shiga Prefecture.
The museum’s permanent gallery displays around 50 works, ranging from classical motifs to playful modern designs, along with related bottle crafts such as ship models and dolls, and embroidered balls from other regions of Japan.
Explanatory panels and videos highlight the production process and the role of bin-temari in local history and handcraft culture.
Each year, a special exhibition showcases around 400 pieces produced by the Echigawa Bin-temari Preservation Society (est.1974), whose roughly 70 members continue the tradition through demonstrations and hands-on workshops.
Visitors can also join the Aishō Furusato Experience Workshop, where—under the guidance of skilled artisans—even beginners can create a bin-temari to take home.
