Every day seems to be a series of discoveries, even though it appears to be the same work over and over again.

The process of weaving towels is called "weaving. Ms. Fujita, who works as a member of the weaving department, entered the weaving industry, also known as the world of craftsmen, without any experience. A mother of three children, Ms. Fujita talks about her job as a weaver.

Fujita, Weaving

Every day seems to be a series of discoveries, even though it appears to be the same work over and over again.

Doing exactly what I can do

My name is Fujita, and I am in charge of weaving at the Imabari headquarters factory.

I used to work as a part-timer at another job, but when I wanted to work as a full-time employee, I happened to find a job offer for weaving at IKEUCHI ORGANIC and became interested.

I had never worked in a factory before, but I thought I might be suited for the job because I like to concentrate quietly on the work in front of me.

Incidentally, I had never heard of IKEUCHI ORGANIC at that time. Living in Imabari, we receive many towels at weddings and funerals, but I had never been aware of a towel company. When I researched the company before applying for the position, I learned that it was a company with an extremely high level of environmental awareness, and I remember being surprised to learn that such a company existed in Imabari.

For the first year or so after joining the company, I was in charge of clerical work and inspection, and then I was put in charge of weaving. I feel that the experience I gained from the various jobs I was given at the beginning has helped me in my current work. For example, even the slightest scratch or frayed thread is treated as out of specification in inspections. Whenever I found out-of-spec products, I always thought to myself, “What a waste.

It is difficult to reduce the number of out-of-spec products to zero, but I would like to do what I can to minimize the number of out-of-spec products. To achieve this, we must do what we can do. This may be a natural attitude in weaving work, but I think my experience in inspection has enhanced my awareness of this.

I find the process of learning each item interesting.

The difficulty of towel weaving is that the weave varies slightly depending on the temperature and humidity of the day. Even if the same yarn is used, the weave texture and density can change slightly, as can the tendency for the yarn to break.

Even when looms of the same design are used, the accuracy and wear of machine parts can cause subtle differences between looms. It often happens that “one loom worked well, but another loom does not work the same way.

Experienced towel makers take into account the environment and the characteristics of each loom while fine-tuning the weaving method and yarn tension to achieve the optimum weave and texture. Seeing this, I feel that the world of weaving is truly profound.

Compared to senior craftsmen, I still lack knowledge and experience, but I find the process of learning each and every detail interesting. At first, I sometimes feel bewildered and unfamiliar, but as I gradually accumulate knowledge and experience, I can feel myself growing.

One of the perks of being a weaver is that I get to be the first to touch the towels I weave. When I touch the woven towels, I often find myself saying, “Wow, they are so fluffy,” or “I didn’t realize how beautifully the patterns are finished.

Although the work of weaving may seem to be the same work over and over again, I feel that every day is a series of new discoveries. Although I have only been working as a weaver for a short time, I am enjoying these small discoveries, and I feel that I am suited to this job.

I have more opportunities to talk about towels with my family.

One of the things I appreciate about working at IKEUCHI ORGANIC is that when my children are sick or we have sudden plans, everyone at the office responds without a sour look on their face.

We use IKEUCHI ORGANIC towels as a family, and my children often say things like, “The new towels are really nice,” or “I like these towels better.

It makes me happy to see my family members enjoying the IKEUCHI ORGANIC towels that I am involved with in my work.

I would like to continue to improve my skills and experience as a member of the weaving department in order to deliver towels that will please my family and customers.