Author Archives: Ryukyu Heritage Textiles

Ai Dye…

My weaving and dyeing heritage originates from Izumi Village where the locals have practiced indigo cultivation for centuries. Ryukyu Ai (indigo) is a native plant.  Those in Izumi have a long and proud Ai Zomme (indigo dyeing) heritage. With the help of my Okinawan family, Ai dye now too!

Treasure each Thread…

Shuri Ori (or Shuri Hana Ori) textiles originated in the old capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Shuri, on Okinawa Island, Japan.  I weave Shuri Ori as a means of preserving my family weaving heritage… As i weave this ancient weave structure, i treasure each thread just as i treasure my ancestors… I treasure each threadContinue reading “Treasure each Thread…”

I Practice an Ancient Art…

I practice the ancient art of  Bingata… Bingata is a Ryukyuan dyeing process that was developed during the 14-15th centuries.  Natural pigments and vegetable dyestuffs are applied to cotton, silk and bashofu fabrics. A stencil is used with Nori paste (a resist paste) to outline the design to be dyed.  In my work here, iContinue reading “I Practice an Ancient Art…”

Those Sounds around Me…

When i was a little girl, i sometimes stayed with my Obaa-san (grandmother).  She had a house in the Tsuboya Pottery District in Naha. During my visit, i could hear Obaa-san’s tom-tom (beater) on her weaving loom.  She had a small convenience store adjoining her house, so I often heard the voices of small childrenContinue reading “Those Sounds around Me…”