I’ve recently returned from a week in Los Angeles, CA where I presented a Ryukyu Textiles cultural workshop at the 2013 Wakamono Taikai. The Taikai is a meeting of the younger generation (ages 18-35) of Uchinanchu (people of Okinawa). This year the focus of the conference was on Uchinanchu identity.
At the Ryukyu Textiles workshop, I conducted a presentation covering my own journey as a 4th generation Uchinanchu bashofu weaver, spinner and dyer. Topics covered included the textile history of the Ryukyu Kingdom and the processes of preparing fibers and weaving bashofu, Ryukyu Kasuri and Shuri Hana Ori. Bingata dyework was also introduced to the Taikai.
Seventeen (17) enthusiastic participants took part in the workshop…
and they all exemplified Chimugukuru– the Uchinanchu heart, soul and spirit…
And I could see the Chimugukuru in their work…
My best to all the inspirational presenters at the 2013 Wakamono Taikai!
Scharine Kirchoff, Fiber Artist 