Azuki checked Renko's work before starting on her own. The free-weaving technique didn't require beating down the wefts to make the fabric tight. The airy looseness of the fabric was part of its charm. For Renko's first effort, Azuki set the loom the Princess would use with lavender thread the color of the Fuji wisteria that bloomed all over Japan later in the spring. The dye was not quite even, so the shades of the thread would give a slight tonal effect that would be attractive in ...