AI technology is giving traditional Nishijin-ori weavers in Japan a fresh new look

Nishijin-ori is the intricate weaving for kimonos that dates back more than a thousand years. But the traditional Japanese craft is getting some high-tech assistance from artificial intelligence (AI). Giant looms clatter inside a textile shop in the Nishijin district of Kyoto, a city where ancient weaving arts are still preserved to this day. Despite the craft’s heritage, its future is uncertain. Demand for kimonos has declined sharply in Japan, particularly among younger generations. Many now rent formal wear for special occasions, if they wear it at all. In response, some artisans are turning to technology to help sustain the tradition. At the heart of the loom, a small device is visible. It's an artificial intelligence-assisted tool developed by Sony Computer Science Laboratories, or Sony CSL. While it doesn’t weave fabric, it supports the design process, helping artisans translate traditional aesthetics into a modern pattern. Lana Sinapayen, Ph.D. researcher at Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc., says, “We try to integrate modern technologies with traditional craftsmanship. For example, here we have a traditional kimono made by the technique of Nishijin-ori, which dates back hundreds of years.” In practice, this means AI learns from human corrections and can replicate those decisions across a full design. It reduces what used to take days or weeks to a matter of seconds, allowing artisans to focus more on creative decisions than technical labor. Jun Rekimoto, a professor at the University of Tokyo and chief science officer at Sony Computer Science Laboratories Inc., says, “Happiness is not only about money or efficiency, but when that person feels content, I think. And I think we can promote that happiness by combining the traditional and latest technology.” The final weaving, however, is done entirely by hand and loom in the traditional way. Nishijin-ori kimonos can sell for as much as a million yen: the equivalent of several thousand dollars. This article was provided by The Associated Press.