In Person / Exhibition / Knotting
At the heart of Japanese craftsmanship lies a long tradition in which nameless makers have quietly infused everyday objects with beauty. Loop of the Loom is proud to present an exhibition of hand-knotted works by members of Ako Gabbeh, a collective of weavers who carry this tradition forward, transforming the humble chair rug into a canvas for storytelling.
Rooted in Silk Road traditions, Akō Dantsu, a distinguished Japanese rug was once woven by Japanese craftswomen using locally grown cotton and natural indigo. Ako Gabbeh reimagined it as a contemporary chair rug, bringing generations of refined technique and spirit into the present. Each piece is where art meets everyday life, beautiful enough to collect, functional enough to live with.
For this exhibition, we welcome members of Ako Gabbeh from Japan, who will showcase more than 15 works. The exhibition also features the "Mountain" series by Noriko Yamanaka (Arts & Crafts Village), who will serve as a workshop instructor, as well as highly skilled Dantsu (traditional Japanese rug) by Rie Sakagami.
Though still little known in the US, hand-knotting is a living art form that bridges everyday life and art—and with this month-long exhibition, we bring it to new audiences.
Date: September 9 – October 1, 2026 (Mondays closed)
Closing Reception: October 1, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Venue: Loop of the Loom – DUMBO
197 Plymouth Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
Ako Gabbeth, located on the coast of Japan's Seto Inland Sea, Ako has long been home to a refined tradition of textile arts. Rug-weaving techniques that had traveled the Silk Road reached Japan, the eastern end of this ancient network of cultural exchange, where women artisans transformed them through locally grown cotton and natural indigo into something entirely their own: Akō Dantsu, a craft that took root in Japan's climate, aesthetics, and way of life. As the number of workshops declined over time, a group of dedicated weavers came together to form 'Ako Gabbeh', committed to reimagining this craft for contemporary life and passing it on to future generations.
Drawing on inherited techniques, the weavers of 'Ako Gabbeh' create handwoven cotton chair rugs in hand-dyed yarn, ranging from traditional Japanese motifs to original designs. Warm and distinctive, their pieces harmonize with a wide variety of interiors and have earned growing recognition across Japan.