28 The Experiment of Jepara Troso Woven in Local Wisdom Sarwono Sarwono1, Nadia Sigi Prameswari2, Darwoto Darwoto1, Zunaila Akhmad2, Hanisa Hassan3 1Universitas Sebelas Maret, Indonesia 2Universitas Negeri Semarang, Indonesia 3Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Malaysia Submitted: 2022-07-13. Revised: 2022-10-21. Accepted: 2023-03-29 Abstract Troso woven cloth, located in Troso village, Jepara city, is one of the various Indonesian cultural heritages first discovered in AD. The purposes of this study are: 1) to investigate the woven cloth and its uses, the relationship between woven cloth with cultural and religious traditions, and the relationship between the woven cloth and local identity; 2) to design a new motif of Troso woven cloth that incorporates the elements of Jepara culture. The study used a practice-based research approach. The data were collected by purposive sampling technique. The results showed that the local community commonly uses woven fabric products as decorative. Troso cloth is also used to design attires, gamis dresses, or koko shirts for the feast day or formal events. The craftsmen of Troso woven fabrics made in Jepara primarily receive orders with motifs from other regions, including Bali, Sumatra, and Kalimantan. In contrast, the original woven fabric motifs distinctive from Troso are rarely known to the general public. The study formulates a new digital-based mo- tif of the Troso fabric pattern that displays the iconic elements of Jepara city. The iconic depictions of Jepara are in the form of turtles, Jepara wooden carvings, and wave patterns. This research is expected to elevate the Troso fabric’s identity as a local identity of Jepara city and contribute to the Troso village community to develop the Troso fabric unique to the region. Keywords: identity, motive, Ikat Troso woven, Jepara How to Cite: Sarwono, S., Prameswari, N. S., Darwoto, D., Akhmad, Z. & Hassan, H. (2023). The Experiment of Jepara Troso Woven in Local Wisdom. Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education, 23(1), 28-39 Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education 23 (1) (2023), 28-39 Available online at http://journal.unnes.ac.id/nju/index.php/harmonia DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15294/harmonia.v23i1.37661 that the lurik textile is one of the oldest and most classic weaving fabrics, with specific textures, designs, motifs, and symbols, and has become a cultural heritage in the Java region. Moreover, the research conducted by Purwoko et al. (2017) integrates the de- velopment of lurik weaving as an aesthetic element in furniture and interior design products, including selecting motifs, de- sign styles, and combination techniques suitable for use. Budhyani (2018) focuses on the function of decorative style in song- INTRODUCTION Batik is an Indonesian technique in- volving the application of a wax-resist dy- eing process to an entire cloth. In addition, the country is also known for its beautiful weavings, such as Ikat Troso, a traditional handicraft located in Troso Village, Jepara City (Kim, 2013). However, discussions on traditional woven fabric are yet to be exp- lored by academia in Indonesia. A study conducted by Mulyanto et al. (2018) shows Corresponding author: E-mail: sarwono59@staff.uns.ac.id p-ISSN 2541-1683|e-ISSN 2541-2426 Sarwono et al., The Experiment of Jepara Troso Woven in Local Wisdom 29 ket woven fabrics that further highlight the beauty of Indonesian textiles. Another study by Ningsih & Widjaja (2020) descri- bes traditional woven fabrics as part of the identity of regional fashion products and have become a fashion trend in Indonesia for a long time. The current research focuses on wo- ven fabrics, listed by UNESCO as one of the heritages of Indonesian traditional cloth art that must be preserved. Woven fabric that is almost spread all over the na- tion is an inheritance from the ancestors of Indonesia (Widiawati & Rosandini, 2012). Weaving has historical value as well as deep meaning in each of its motifs. There- fore, promoting and disseminating tradi- tional woven fabric must Jepara has a distinctive craft, Ikat Troso weaving, typical in the Troso village, Pecangaan sub-District, Jepara Regency. The majority of its residents work as tradi- tional craftsmen in the Ikat Troso weaving industry (Ismanto, 2016). Troso weaving is a local craft in Jepara that has existed for a long time (Indrahti et al., 2018). In 1943, Troso residents began to develop Tenun Pancal (Foot Weaving) and then in 1946 switched to Non-weaving Machine Tools (handloom) until now (Asshofi & Muk- ti, 2018). Similarly to batik, Troso woven has various motifs, such as flora, fauna, and geometry (Shufa & Wijaya, 2022). As the name implies, the woven fabric is called ikat because, in the process of ma- king the fabric, it is tied to the thread or warp, which is further dipped in dye. The strength of this Troso woven fabric is that it is durable, does not fade, and has a dis- tinctive pattern (Rosdiana et al., 2018). This uniqueness makes Troso weaving distinc- tive and distinguishes it from other woven fabrics, making it one of the most reque- sted materials in the domestic market. The weaving economic activity in Je- para has existed since the 19th century in Algemeen Verslag Residentie Jepara, 1831 to 1835. This has positively benefited and encouraged numerous small-scale local trading activities. According to Fernando (1996), craft workers in the Jepara residen- cy initially received meager salaries. Ho- wever, the reverse is the case today. This is because the region, regarded as a place for developing the archipelago weaving industry, currently produces enough Tro- so for various areas, thereby boosting their economy. Most of the residents of Troso Village have a weaving business, so that the competition in the weaving industry is increasingly competitive, especially since Troso weaving was made a civil servant uniform by the Governor of Central Java in 1980, which led to increasingly fierce competition because most Troso Village residents chose to become weaving ent- repreneurs (Khasanah et al., 2022). This activity has been going on for the past ten years, until this free-market era, which in- cites craftsmen in Jepara to publicize their products independently (Intikaroh, 2018). Based on the fact that this industry func- tions in a rapid, easy, and cheap manner, it is not surprising that the archipelago weaving fabric produced in Jepara domi- nates the market. Therefore, the Ikat Troso fabric is an industrial product and must not be claimed as a cultural heritage. Cur- rently, the majority of Troso residents have switched from being craftsmen to modern factory (garment) workers in Jepara due to the attractive large salary (Budiman & Zuliyati, 2015). This has reduced the num- ber of craftsmen and the public’s interest in producing woven fabrics, including the mindset that working outside the city is more promising than being a weaver. Tro- so weaving crafts used to flourish but are now declining due to production efficien- cy factors. A problem in the Troso weaving craft industry is the lack of competitiveness with other textile and fashion industries, such as batik, in the international market (Ngatindriatun et al., 2018). Besides, various weaving motifs are produced in Troso Village. Some are mori (fabric), “kantet” weaving sarong, and lurik (Javanese cloth with small striped motifs). The “kantet” is a tie weaving that uses a middle connection on the material. Although relatively varied, ikat weaving motifs produced in Troso Village have not Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education 23 (1) (2023): 28-3930 experienced numerous innovations. This has caused the customers or the public to become less interested because of its mo- notony, mostly geometric and other regio- nal motifs. Based on this phenomenon, it is necessary to ensure that the woven motifs undergo several innovations to keep up with the times and trigger public interest and the competitiveness of fabric sales. Ikat weaving produced in Jepara is often identified with those manufactured in Jepara. However, in the real sense, the motifs are still regarded as “archipelago weaving” and culturally not considered “Jepara weaving.” This occurred since the motifs on Ikat Troso weaving were adopted from other regions in the archipe- lago. In other words, Jepara weaving does not have a distinctive motif that is regar- ded as its identity (Ramadhani & Subandi, 2015). This study examines the relationship between Troso woven cloth and its uses, the fabric with religion and culture, and the relationship between the cloth and lo- cal identity, as cited by Lungu et al. (2021), who examine heritage motifs as decora- tive furniture surfaces. Motifs on woven fabrics can be implemented on walls, fur- niture, curtains, and others. Caroline et al. (2021) focus on developing silk pattern designs for Troso woven fabrics because, as a producer of woven fabrics, the Troso area does not have authentic silk patterns and tends to imitate other places. The was- tra pattern on the pattern of each woven cloth illustrates the cultural characteristics of the area where it is made, so it tends to contain elements of local wisdom and represents a sustainable industry. Bahal- wan (2017) emphasizes the importance of re-designing the motifs on Troso woven fabrics, which focus more on local Jepara identities, such as Kartini Beach, Padu- raksa Gapura, Bentar Gapura, White Sea Hawk Bird, and Bracket Tiger. The re-de- sign of the Troso woven motif is closely related to the increase in selling value for the craftsmen. Semuel et al. (2022) point out the contributions of woven cloth as one of the pieces of equipment used to attend religious and cultural ceremonies. In addi- tion, woven fabric has become associated with the country’s identity. The use of wo- ven cloth in traditional ceremonies embeds sacred, philosophical symbols and values of local people. Kahdar & Yuanita (2013) also focus on the function of woven fabrics in society. It has been stated that woven fabric isn’t just a mere cloth; it also refers to social status, a ritual complements aspect, and many other symbolic purposes. For the people of Indonesia, traditional texti- les have the potential to stand on the same ground as any modern textile produced around the world. In this research, The Jepara icon application on the ikat troso weaving mo- tif, which serves as a visual identity, is an alternative novelty. Previous studies were still limited to discussing the function and meaning of woven fabrics as the identity of the state and the life of local communities. In addition, other studies related to re-de- signing Troso woven fabric motifs empha- size historical building motifs such as the paduraksa gate, the Bentar temple gate, and the typical Jepara fauna, the Black Hawk Bird and the caged tiger. Meanwhile, this research focuses on re-designing Troso woven fabric motifs with design motifs originating from large turtles on Kartini Beach, stylization of Jepara carvings, and beach waves representing Jepara’s nature and culture which are implemented into ready-to-wear clothing through the digital media. In addition, this research seeks to examine the cultural aspects that appear in the motifs of Troso woven fabrics to pro- duce a separate identity for the local Jepara community. This study adopted a Jepara- centric artistic, practice-based approach, influenced by Jepara’s potential & iconic natural resources, namely the sea turtle (penyu) fauna. The Jepara iconic object, the turtle, combined with the distinctive motif of “Suluran” and the sea waves that cha- racterize the region as a coastal city, provi- des a visual identity in the motif. Applying this visual identity to the fabric ensures ikat Troso is legitimately regarded as “Je- para Weaving/ wastra.” This research Sarwono et al., The Experiment of Jepara Troso Woven in Local Wisdom 31 aims to analyze motifs for woven fabrics in Jepara. Therefore, it is loaded with the distinctive characteristics of this city as a cultural identity. METHOD This research was practice-based. Practice-based research is an original in- vestigation undertaken to gain new know- ledge through practice and the outcomes of that practice (Candy, 2006). In practice- based research, the creative artifact is the basis of the contribution to knowledge. This method is applied to original inves- tigations seeking new knowledge through practice and its outcomes (Skains, 2018). In an art creation or design, the methodology is not only the framework but also invol- ves intuition and emotion in the researcher who determines good or bad design or work. Many art and design research have different procedures, but most important- ly, they can tell the process (Chapman & Sawchuk, 2012). Several stages were involved in the process of re-designing the Troso woven motif. The stages in this study were mo- dified by Supriyadi & Prameswari (2022), including finding artistic ideas, the design, and the final stage. The research focuses on three processes of re-design Troso wo- ven motif, namely 1) identification of the idea, 2) sketching the design, and 3) ma- king Troso woven motif “Sedulur Penyu” to various types of ready-to-wear clothing through digital media. The data collection technique invol- ved observation and interviews. Inter- views and observations were conducted at the Troso woven fabric craft center in Troso village, Jepara, Central Java. This research was conducted in Jepara City from 2020 to 2021. The study employed a purposive sampling technique by determi- ning specific criteria for the respondents (Patton, 2002). The research respondent criteria were as follows: 1) Having a bu- siness in the manufacture of Troso woven fabrics in Jepara; 2) Having been running the business for at least one year; 3) Domi- ciled in Jepara. Interviews were conducted with three respondents. Each interview session was conducted for 45 minutes. As Creswell (2013) explained, the number of respondents who participated in the stu- dy must reach - people, so the number was sufficient. Bandur (2019) explains that the more specific the research sample, the more precise the characteristics, and the fewer respondents are studied, the more quality and in-depth the interview process will be. The study was conducted in several stages: 1) analysis of cultural and commu- nity conditions; 2) analysis of the influence of Troso woven fabric as room decoration, in the religious aspect, and local identity; 3) analysis of Troso woven fabric with uni- que elements of Jepara City. This study also investigated the new motif of Troso woven fabric that incorporates distinctive characteristics of the City of Jepara to rep- resent the region’s cultural identity. RESULT AND DISCUSSION Identification of Idea Stage Ikat Troso Weaving is one of the han- dicrafts of Troso village people in Jepara regency. This has been common since the 1800s, and as time progressed, the wea- ving fabric became popular in the archipe- lago and even abroad with various beau- tiful and attractive motifs (Sakti & Roisah, 2019). Several people worked as craftsmen due to the high market demands of other areas such as Bali, Jakarta, Bandung, Kali- mantan, etc. Based on the interview result, the craftsmen in Troso also make woven fab- rics based on requests from areas outsi- de Troso, and these requests come with each region’s distinct motif. They accept orders from certain regions, such as Bali, with their distinct motif pattern. Motifs such as a blanket with a wide, long, and rough texture. The customers can choose their motifs; for instance, the orders from Sumatera most commonly prefer checke- red motifs. Meanwhile, the requests from Sulawesi prefer animalistic motifs such as Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education 23 (1) (2023): 28-3932 an elephant. In Bali, people choose pura (temple) and barong motifs. It depends on the region. Moreover, it is found that Troso villa- ge is the largest center of traditional woven fabric all over Indonesia. But, it could be said that Troso is the largest woven fabric production center in Indonesia because we produce fabrics all over Indonesia with va- rious motifs and various quality materials. Apart from the high market demand, people also need superior-quality fabrics. Therefore, to enhance the fabric quality, the craftsmen made innovative motifs. As a result, the following geometric and re- gional motifs are commonly circulating in the community (Figure 1). However, they do not visually have the iconic Jepara. Figure 1. Ikat Troso woven fabric motifs com- monly circulated Culturally, the Troso woven fabrics are based on local wisdom, which needs to be maintained. Crafters must understand the market conditions to ensure survi- val because it is still in demand (Borsha- lina, 2014)Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs. Cultural preservation is necessa- ry considering the possibility that the in- fluence of globalization in the 21st century potentially erodes cultural values, one of which is the weaving practice in Jepara. This is realized by revitalizing the Troso weaving or re-designing the motif by pri- oritizing important values regarded as the Jepara City identity. Moreover, the Troso production cen- ter initiates designing a new kembang motif. They are starting to design flower motifs which are unique motifs specially made for the Troso and Jepara. There might be more motifs outside Java, but I have never seen flower motifs.” The results show that the original flower motif of Troso Village is being ini- tiated and developed. The flower motif is chosen because there are no motifs from other regions that resemble flowers and are usually made with geometric shapes, animals, and representations of ancestors or gods of certain beliefs. Woven fabric and its functions As cited in Hartanti (2011), the exis- tence of woven fabrics can be tracked since ancient times; it has been used as one of the aesthetic elements of the room in inte- rior design. The use of woven cloth can be traced back to its application as an element of room decoration in Rumah Gadang tra- ditional house, where the woven fabric is attached to a rope stretched between the pillars of the house. The use of woven clothes as an element of home decoration is also seen in their application to floors, walls, ceilings, and curtains. It is used as complementary accessories for furniture (sofa upholstery and cushions). Woven fabric is also commonly app- lied in home decoration. The woven fabric is applied as a complement to home de- coration. For example, it is used as a tab- lecloth. Maybe only part of the table is co- vered by woven cloth. Aside from that, the Troso woven cloth is also used as tablecloths, curtains, or as display frames. It can be used for tab- lecloths and curtains or displayed in fra- mes, and it depends on they request. Weaving as an element of room de- coration can also be seen in portraits of Dutch people who lived in ancient Indone- sia. According to the book Woven Indone- sian Textiles for The Home, published by Cita Tenun Indonesia, it is said that Dutch women used weaving as room decoration, such as their use on the dining table and cabinet upholstery, curtains, and throws on sofas. In other countries, woven fabrics for decoration usually match that country’s colors and seasons. In other countries, wo- ven fabrics for decoration usually match that country’s colors and seasons. It is usually used for interior design. One time, I befriended a foreigner when I attended Sarwono et al., The Experiment of Jepara Troso Woven in Local Wisdom 33 the INACRAFT exhibition. The foreigners are also interested in interior design and bought a certain amount of Troso textile pieces for interior design. The colors and motifs are adjusted to the seasons in the country. For instance, if the country is in winter, they will choose colors that match a winter theme. Woven cloth is still used as a comple- mentary element in room decoration by se- lect groups of people. For example, people who follow interior design trends incorpo- rate Troso woven fabric as an element of room decoration. Based on the descriptions above, wo- ven cloth is commonly applied as comple- ments in home decoration. Woven fab- rics are usually used for tablecloths and curtains, installed in figures, and then displayed on the room’s walls. The Troso woven textile is also exported abroad and used for room decoration; the fabric’s color is adjusted to the seasons in that country. Woven cloth and cultural-religious tradi- tions In Indonesia, woven cloth has been associated with religions since the past. As a result, woven fabrics have been imple- mented as room decorations for walls, fur- niture accessories, curtains, etc. Suadnya- na (2020) points out the use of woven cloth as one of the pieces of equipment used for traditional ceremonies. In regions such as Bali, Toraja, and Kalimantan, woven clothes are used in traditional rituals. The people use woven cloth for their traditional costumes or as an element in their traditional rituals. Ho- wever, in Kalimantan, they have a specific motif used for traditional ceremonies. The Troso community in Jepara uses costumes or attires from woven clothes to attend weddings. Meanwhile, Muslims also incorporate Troso woven cloth as ga- mis dress of koko shirt. They use woven textiles as our attire to attend weddings or as gamis dress and koko shirt for Eid al-Fitr. In Lombok and Papua, most woven fabrics are made with animal motifs and shapes that represent the identity of their ancestors. Therefore, they tend to apply geckos, skulls, horses, and other motifs that reflect their ancestors’ identity. In Lombok, for example in Sasak, the people usually use the natural surroundings and folklore as a reference for songket woven motifs (Pratama, 2018) Woven fabric is also traditionally applied in clothing and attires. The use of woven cloth in traditional ceremonies embeds sacred and philosophical symbols and values. In regions such as Bali, Toraja, and Kalimantan, woven clothes are an es- sential part of the customary rituals. Tenun endek is used in Bali to cover statues repre- senting gods and goddesses of Hinduism, the major religion in the city. Meanwhile, in Lombok and Papua, most woven fabrics are made with animal motifs and shapes that represent the identity of their ances- tors. The Troso community in Jepara uses costumes or attires from woven clothes to attend weddings. They wear uniforms with close relatives to celebrate the wed- ding party. However, this is not quite com- mon for other people because it is conside- red too formal. In addition, Muslim people wear Troso woven fabrics as gamis dresses for women and koko shirts for men. This dress is usually worn during Eid al-Fitr or other formal events. Tenun and local identity Indonesia is an archipelagic country that is featured in ethnic and cultural di- versity. Therefore, local identity is a signifi- cant subject of discourse to distinguish one area from another. The motifs in woven cloth can represent a distinct local iden- tity in each region. Based on the research conducted by Riwu et al. (2020), the motifs found in woven fabrics could be used as identification so that people can find the local origin of the person wearing them. The design of the motifs in the wo- ven cloths is different in each region; this is conducted so that each motif can represent the identity of each region all over Indone- sia. Tenun Troso is commonly used outside Jepara with motifs from their regions, whi- Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education 23 (1) (2023): 28-3934 le some are exported abroad. However, the community does not know that the woven fabrics in other areas are initially made in Troso village, Jepara. Ironically, Jepara has no original mo- tif distinct to our region. The motifs are usually from Bali, Sumatra, and Kaliman- tan. They requested we design their motifs in their order. So what people might know as Sumatran, Balinese, and other motifs are made in Troso. Several Micro, Small Medium Enter- prise (MSME) groups then took the initia- tive to develop original motifs from Tro- so to represent the local identity of Troso village, Jepara, and are widely known by the public. They are still developing our original motif to introduce their identity to the public so that people can recognize our motifs. Based on the previous explanation, the woven fabrics throughout Indonesia have distinct motifs. Currently, the crafts- men in Troso, Jepara, are initiating and de- veloping their traditional clothing as their original identity of Troso to preserve the cultural heritage in Troso, Jepara. This study finds out that the Troso woven fabric is commonly used as home decoratives in the form of tablecloths, cur- tains, and wall display figures. Moreover, from the point of view of religion and be- lief, the woven fabric is usually incorpora- ted in rituals or traditional ceremonies in various regions of Indonesia, such as in Toraja, Bali, and Kalimantan. The motifs represent each region’s philosophical and symbolic meanings, depicted by geometric shapes, animals, and symbols that repre- sent the ancestors of their native regions. Troso Village, Jepara, is well-known as Indonesia’s largest woven fabric producer and serves the demand for woven cloth from other regions. However, the region of Troso, Jepara itself, does not have its ori- ginal motifs. In response, initiations and developments were made to design its ori- ginal traditional clothing and motifs that represent the unique characteristics and original identity of Troso, Jepara village. Troso Woven Cloth Design In this study, the design process of the Troso woven motif refers to the advan- tages and potentials possessed by Jepara City. The research respondents explained this at the time of the interview. In addi- tion, the respondents explained that Jepa- ra is known for its unique wood carving, and the carving motifs are the original cha- racteristics of the city of Jepara. In Jepara, many craftsmen specialized in wood car- vings. The carvings consist of many motifs and have become the original characteristic motifs of Jepara. Therefore, Jepara wooden carvings should be preserved because they are a great asset for the people of Jepara. Moreover, the respondents also sta- ted that Jepara is known for its beautiful beaches. Aside from that, Jepara is also famous for its turtle habitat preservation. These are the elements to be preserved as valuable assets for Jepara. In Jepara, people tend to visit beach- es a lot. This city has several beaches, such as Kartini Beach, Bandengan Beach, Empu Rancak Beach, and many others. Some of the beaches have white sand and turtle habitat. Now turtles are getting rare, so I think they need to be protected to prevent extinction because beautiful beaches and turtles on the beach can attract tourists from outside the city or from abroad. The researchers initiated to design of the original Jepara woven cloth motif de- sign inspired by Jepara’s potential, i.e., the wooden carvings, the beautiful beaches, and the turtles in Jepara. The turtle motif was chosen as the central motif because it is an iconic symbol closely related to the city of Jepara because of its habitat on Kar- tini Beach. Thus, by making the turtle the central motif, the researchers intend to introduce the distinct motif from Jepara to the public. Turtle motive Various marine invertebrates are properly bred in the Jepara area, inclu- ding the turtle, a marine animal common- ly found in Karimunjawa National Park. This area is located on Legon Island and is considered a turtle conservation place (De- Sarwono et al., The Experiment of Jepara Troso Woven in Local Wisdom 35 partemen Kehutanan, 2004). Apart from turtle breeding, one of the coastal tourist destinations, Kartini Beach, has a giant turtle-shaped building regarded as an icon in the Jepara regency, as shown in Figure 2 (Surojo & Wicaksono, 2019). This building consists of 2 floors. The lower part is a park containing various marine life, including turtles, while the upper serves as a suppor- ting vehicle. Figure 2. Giant turtle building on Kartini Beach, Jepara However, because the building is iconic in Jepara city, the turtle is the cent- ral motif in the Sedulur Penyu weaving fabric. Apart from that, it is also used to strengthen the distinctiveness of the motif. The turtle is regarded as an icon of Jepara city; therefore, it offers an identity exhibiti- ng the creativity of craftsmen in producing entirely new motifs. Figure 3. Turtle’s stylization becomes a motif This is realized by sketching the ba- sic shape of a stylized turtle before it is developed into a fabric motif, as shown in Figure 3. Afterward, it is decorated with additional ornamentation or stuffing in the tendrils. However, using the turtle motif in the weaving helps conserve its cultivation, which has been breeding for a long time in Jepara (Soetijono, 2019). Jepara carving motifs Jepara carving products are widely known at home and abroad and are regar- ded as an export commodity for generating income (Nangoy & Sofiana, 2013). “The Word Carving Center” is Jepara’s nickna- me for “a carving city,” and a lot of people are pursuing a profession in the carving or furniture sector (Gustami, 2000). Jepa- ra carvings are evident in numerous buil- dings, such as the hall, the great mosque of Jepara, the gate, etc. Furthermore, this ob- ject is used as the motif of the Troso Sedu- lur Penyu weaving cloth, which visualizes the icon and uniqueness of Jepara. The car- vings have distinctive features like broad, fan-like leaves, narrow niches, and fruits, as shown in Figure 4. These three charac- teristics differentiate Jepara’s carvings from other regions. They are also applied and designed as motifs to show that the fabric visualizes the potential of Jepara. Figure 4. Jepara carving motif In the woven fabric of Sedulur Pe- nyu, Jepara carvings are designed by simp- lifying complex shapes, despite showing the characteristics of Jepara carvings. Be- sides the simplified forms, dynamic niche shapes are also changed according to other motifs to create harmony and unity. Motifs and designs for traditional ethnic clothing are linked to the social activities of the community as an effort to balance cultural creations and potential natural characteris- tics (Ling & Jusilin, 2018). Harmonia: Journal of Arts Research and Education 23 (1) (2023): 28-3936 Figure 5. Jepara carving stylization The carvings’ stylization becomes a motif when certain features such as lea- ves, fans, fruits, and tendrils are applied. In this motif, Jepara carvings are symmet- rically made to facilitate the application of the fabrics. Waves Motif Jepara is located at the northern bor- der of Java Island, surrounded mainly by the sea, with most of its resident’s fisher- men. Therefore, it is regarded as a coastal city. It has several beautiful beaches as tourist destinations, namely Bandengan, Teluk Awur, Kartini, Bondo, etc. There- fore, to display the visualization of this coastal city, objects closely related to the sea, such as the waves, need to be adopted. Waves are described as water exposed to the wind. It is identical to the sea; therefo- re, this object was chosen to visualize the Sedulur Penyu woven fabric motif. The blue color of the fabric is a visualization of the waters, which describes the sea poten- tial in Jepara. Aesthetic ornaments and ar- ches are also an exciting combination and an artistic idea. The motif takes the prima- ry form of distilled waves, namely curves, as shown in figure 6. Figure 6. Sea wave stylization Wave stylization is an additional mo- tif used to decorate the edges of the fabric. Initially, the shape of the curves was made to be minor, although it was further enlar- ged to give a dynamic impression like oce- an waves (Rukman, 2018). Sedulur Penyu Motif The motif design known as Sedulur Penyu on the woven fabric of the ikat tor- so is shown in Figure 7. This design rep- resents the characteristics of Jepara city, Indonesia. Figure 7. Digital-based Sedulur penyu motif The fabric motif shown in Figure 7 comprises three elements depicting the ico- nic Jepara: the Turtle (Main motif), Jepara Carving, and the sea waves. The process of selecting objects that visualize this city is to study those typical of Jepara. The Jepara carvings are depicted on the motif of the sedulur penyu due to the identity of Jepara as the city of carving. The representation of the Jepara carving motifs is simplified to adjust with the woven cloth but still re- fers to the wooden carvings’ base motifs. The third element in the motif is the ocean waves. The waves are associated with the existence of beaches in Jepara. Figure 8. Clothing designs with Sedulur Penyu motifs Sarwono et al., The Experiment of Jepara Troso Woven in Local Wisdom 37 Technological advancement promo- tes changes dynamically from time to time because they prefer a commodity in line with the spirit of their era or zeitgeist (Pra- meswari, et al., 2020). The expected novelty needs to be endeavored by Troso weaving craftsmen following the changing times. The motif shows a novelty power that has never existed, namely promoting the so- cio-cultural identity of the Jepara people. This adds to the woven motif’s selling va- lue, which is regarded as a fresh commodi- ty in the market. Moreover, selling power emerges based on the maintained traditio- nal values irrespective of the modern and complex designs (Sarwono et al., 2020). Integrating motifs identical to conventio- nal values is necessary to strengthen the Indonesian national identity (Prameswari, Mulyanto, et al., 2020). The artistic features of the shirt in the picture are designed by referring to Troso woven cloth with a turtle motif combined with a plain fabric. Although it might be perceived as old-fashioned, the designs are made contemporary following fashion de- sign trends to suit the fashion style favored by teenagers. They can still look modern by wearing Troso cloth as the primary ma- terial for the shirt. CONCLUSIONS The use of woven cloth in interior de- sign only attracts select market groups due to the unique impression it adds to a room. In this case, the application of woven fab- ric can be customized and combined with other popular design elements. Moreover, the Troso woven cloth can be made into shirts for Muslims since most Jeparanese people are Muslim. This way, the woven materials available in the community can represent cultural and philosophical va- lues in the motifs. The motifs depicted in the woven fabric uniquely represent a region’s identity. Therefore, the existence of Troso weaving in Jepara must be preser- ved as the cultural heritage of Indonesia. Government and the community (particu- larly the young generations) are essential in preserving Troso weaving art. Further, Troso weaving art can be developed and elevated by designing new up-to-date mo- tifs that include iconic visual symbols of Je- para, such as turtles, Jepara carvings, and ocean waves. The new design is expected to increase public interest and preserve the existence of Troso weaving art. ACKNOWLEDGMENT We thank the MSME of Troso Woven in Troso Village for providing and suppor- ting our research. REFERENCES Andriyani, N., & Zuliyati. (2015). 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