Category Archives: Bingata

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?”

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”

Bingata and Ai Zomme @Okinawa Wakamono Taikai

This month I’ve been busy preparing for the upcoming 2013 Okinawa Wakamono Taikai Conference to take place in Torrance, CA USA from July 18-22.  I will be teaching a Ryukyu Textiles workshop as part of the Taikai Cultural Workshops series. One technique that I will teach is the process of E-Gata, a type of BingataContinue reading “Bingata and Ai Zomme @Okinawa Wakamono Taikai”

Bingata and the Okinawa Rail

The Yanbaru Kuina, or the Okinawa Rail (Gallirallus okinawae),  is a beautiful bird endemic to Okinawa Island.  It is an unusual bird in that it is almost flightless. Since the Yanbaru Kuina is an endangered species, i have worked to incorporate it into my bingata artwork as a reminder for us to cherish our naturalContinue reading “Bingata and the Okinawa Rail”

Ryukyu Bingata Kimono

Traditional Ryukyu kimonos are constructed of handwoven fabric with bingata natural dye designs.  The underlying fabric is also handwoven, however the weave structure differs and consists of the Kasuri Ikat style. A Hanagasa (lotus flower hat) is typically worn with the traditional bingata kimono as seen on these Ryukyu dancers… As you can see, theContinue reading “Ryukyu Bingata Kimono”

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…”