Category Archives: Bashofu

Oh, Did I Tell You?

Oh, goodness…did i tell you?  i love working as a fiber artist!  i’ve worked hard to attain the skills and expertise i use to create my artwork. and, being able to share them, in some small way, motivates me to move forward. The satisfaction and happiness i get from my artistic endeavors wouldn’t be possibleContinue reading “Oh, Did I Tell You?”

Kasuri (Ikat) Handweaving Workshop

It was such a pleasure to teach an Introduction to Kasuri (ikat) Weaving workshop last week.  The workshop was sponsored by the Weavers and Spinners Society of Austin (WSSA), and was attended by participants from various locations around the State of Texas, USA. The workshop covered the workflow process that I published in the ComplexContinue reading “Kasuri (Ikat) Handweaving Workshop”

Ryukyu Textiles Presentation

I’m so pleased to serve as the guest speaker at the Weavers and Spinners Society of Austin (WSSA), Texas USA meeting on Thurs., October 11, 2018 at 7 pm. My presentation is entitled “Weaving and Dyeing in the Colorful Spirit of an Ancient Craft”. The highlights of the presentation include an overview of the textileContinue reading “Ryukyu Textiles Presentation”

These Bashofu Threads…

I’ve been spinning and winding these bashofu threads, and as I do, my mind spins and wanders too… What shall these bashofu threads be?  A book cover, or tapestry?  Or perhaps a cherished cloth for my family? These bashofu threads, once dyed and handwoven will tell a story.  Like these vintage kimonos, they will documentContinue reading “These Bashofu Threads…”

Bashofu Weaving

Records indicate that Bashofu weaving existed in the Ryukyu Islands as far back as the 1500’s… The earliest written evidence is dated 1546 from Pak Son, a shipwrecked Korean who reached the Ryukyus in 1542 where he stayed for four years before returning to Korea.  Pak Son wrote the following: “The larger trees are theContinue reading “Bashofu Weaving”

I am a Happy Gardener…

The heat and humidity have arrived in Houston, TX USA, and the weather feels just like summer in Okinawa.  At least a month has passed since i first started tilling and enriching my Ryukyu garden bed. So, this week i decided that it’s time…time to plant my Ito Basho seeds…i am a happy gardener… ItoContinue reading “I am a Happy Gardener…”

Basho Spinning…it’s a challenge for me!

I’m still learning to spin Ito Basho threads on my basho spinning wheel…it’s a challenge for me!  However, the spinners at Sensei Taira’s weaving studio…well, they spin beautifully!

Okinawan Folk Music – Bashofu

Bashofu “beautiful song of the homeland…mountains so green, skies so blue…beautiful people too” 1. Umi no aosa ni Sora no ao Minami no kaze ni Midoriba no Basho wa nasake ni Te o maneku Tokonatsu no kuni Washita shima Uchina 2. Shuri no kojo no Ishi datami Mukashi o shinobu Katahotori Minoreru basho Ureteita MidoribaContinue reading “Okinawan Folk Music – Bashofu”