Notice: We are not offering training or registration for any new instructors or studios within the SAORI Global Network affiliated with our company until further notice. We will make another announcement as soon as we go through the necessary restructuring and become ready to resume the official training and registration process. Until then, we earnestly encourage you to continue to deepen and expand your practice through weaving on your own and with others, especially by connecting with the community of existing Registered SAORI Studios.

Studio Instructor Registration Policies

Last Update: 2023.11.26

SAORI Global started as the International Division of Sakaiseikisangyo Co. Ltd., the original manufacturer of SAORI looms since 1969. In March 2023, SAORI Global transformed from a division to a company, aiming to strengthen the support dedicated to nurturing the long-lasting SAORI practices continued among the weavers all around the world.

As one of the SAORI family organizations, SAORI Global LLC is specifically dedicated to supporting the international SAORI community. Our mission, as a company and the members of the founder’s family and the community, is to inspire individuals all over the world to discover, nurture and respect the boundless, creative potential that lives within and connects us all. We envision an open and harmonious world, in which we may all exist, think and create differently, together.

Registered SAORI Studios represent the original family company, philosophy and movement started by Misao Jo as well as the deep values shared amongst the global SAORI community that has grown and developed over more than fifty years. Working together both directly and indirectly as an unconventional, unified network, all Registered SAORI Studios are vital to supporting the well-being and continuation of the community and are entrusted with the tremendous challenge and joy of helping to guide others in their SAORI journeys. Supporting their immediate community members and the SAORI community at large involves providing unique spaces, tools, materials and guidance for individuals of all abilities and previous experiences to discover and develop their true, creative selves. It also involves embodying the values and philosophy of SAORI not only when weaving and sharing with others but also in the way of conducting business and personal lives as a whole.

Based on the reasoning summarized in the above, we are very serious about the training and registration process for an official SAORI Instructor within the SAORI Global Network. Hereunder we list our Studio Instructor Registration Policies and the values which we expect to be demonstrated by the prospective Registered SAORI Studio Instructors.

1. Complying with Registration Policy

The authorization of use of the SAORI name and any aspect of SAORI, including but not limited to its brand name, the name of Misao Jo, her concept and words, our tangible products, resources, copy-righted materials, classes and services provided by the founder family organizations and their affiliated entities, come together hand in hand. No individuals are allowed to use any aspect of our intellectual property, as a whole or in part, for any activities that cannot be considered to be a personal creative practice before being registered as an official SAORI studio instructor. We do not allow any entity to reproduce our products or services without our official written permission. We reserve the right to decline any request from the individuals who do not at present and/or have not in the past respected or complied with our policies. We do not train and will not register any individuals who have infringed or hold an intention to infringe upon our trademark and intellectual property rights at some future date.

2. Alignment with SAORI's Philosophical and Ethical Values

Prospective instructors must demonstrate a deep understanding and commitment to align with SAORI’s unique philosophy, principles and values to become registered as official SAORI instructors. Registered SAORI instructors must be able to embody SAORI's philosophical and ethical values while conducting all aspects of their life. They must be committed to continue sincere and humble efforts to fully represent and enhance the values of SAORI as a movement, practice and mission-driven brand. Becoming a SAORI instructor is not a goal. It is rather the beginning of a life-long journey of even deeper practice and learning experiences to grow together with others in the community.

3. Being Open to Understand our Cultural Roots

Our registration requires an understanding and resonance with SAORI’s cultural and philosophical roots in Japan. Every prospective instructor must go through an in-person training at SAORI Headquarters in Izumi, Osaka, Japan. We only welcome those who are willing and open to immerse themselves in learning our unique culture and mind-set in Japan.

4. Foundation of Mutual Trust

Mutual trust is crucial for our registration. We aim to register individuals with both the character and capabilities we can trust as official instructors. Our instructor registration is not just about skills; it is about mutual understanding, trust and respect.

5. Practical Experience

All aspiring instructors must accumulate substantial hands-on SAORI experience before pursuing the registration. The process of individual learning and growth varies for each person. There is also individual variation in the time required for practical experience necessary to become an official SAORI instructor. Each individual is carefully considered, and the decision to register them as an official instructor will be made on a case-by-case basis.

6. Community-Centric

Official SAORI instructors should prioritize the interests shared by the entire SAORI community over personal fame or gains. Ultimately, registered SAORI instructors should contribute positively to our community, reflecting our shared commitment to continue our mission in the long term.

7. Sincere Communication

To maintain mutual trust to enable us form a truly collaborative network of Registered SAORI Studios, our official instructors must maintain sincere communication and a genuine attitude while working with us and others at all times. All official SAORI instructors need a reasonable proficiency in English communication because our routine business documents and materials are created in English in order to share the same foundational understanding about our philosophy, products, services, and policies among all official instructors within our global studio network.

8. Facilitating Creativity

Every official instructor must possess the ability to empty oneself in order to carefully listen to the inner voices of others, and draw out every individual’s hidden creativity while facilitating SAORI classes. Official SAORI instructors themselves must be able to liberate themselves from a conventional way of thinking and be deeply anchored to believe and respect everyone’s unique potential so that they can cultivate the uniquely different sensibilities of each weaver.

9. Self-propelled Ability

All Registered SAORI Instructors must be financially independent and possess the sufficient capability and capacity to operate as a Registered SAORI Studio, while they carefully follow and respect our policies and guidelines.

10. Restriction on Representing Competing Brands

With few exceptions, our official instructors are not permitted to concurrently serve as representatives for different brands that may be in competition with SAORI. This restriction is aimed to protect our unique identity to be represented by each official SAORI instructor.

11. Maintain Alignment with SAORI’s Philosophical and Ethical Principles after Registration is Canceled

All Registered SAORI Studio Instructors have cultivated and represented SAORI’s unique philosophy, principles and values through weaving and sharing SAORI with others. When a Registered SAORI Studio Instructor comes to make a decision to cancel the instructor registration, they must close their entire studio business and cease sharing SAORI with others. We expect all post-cancellation activities will continue to be in alignment with SAORI’s philosophical and ethical principles, and be correct both legally and ethically.

We do not allow any individuals to use the SAORI name and any aspect of SAORI, including but not limited to its brand name, the name of Misao Jo, her concept and words, our tangible products, resources, copy-righted materials, classes and services provided by the founder family organizations and their affiliated entities, as a whole or in part, for any activities that cannot be considered to be a personal creative practice after the official SAORI Studio Instructor registration is terminated. We do not allow any entity to reproduce our products or services after the official SAORI Studio Instructor Registration is terminated. Using the past relationship with SAORI gives a confusing message which presumes a false credibility that has been authorized from SAORI Japan. This kind of post-cancellation activity is not allowed under any circumstances.

We request all former Registered SAORI Studio Instructors to continue embodying SAORI's philosophical and ethical values while conducting all aspects of the rest of their life. Even after the cancellation of instructor registration, they must be committed to maintaining respect for SAORI and its community. We expect that they will continue making a positive contribution to SAORI and its community through continuing weaving SAORI as a personal creative practice only.