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”
Tag Archives: Bashofu
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”
The Colorful Spirit of an Ancient Craft
I’m looking forward to presenting “Weaving and Dyeing in the Colorful Spirit of an Ancient Craft” on Sat., March 14, 11 am – 2 pm, at the Anchorage Museum of Fine Arts, Anchorage, Alaska as part of the Anchorage Weavers and Spinners Guild meeting. Synopsis: Handweaving and hand-dyeing textiles with natural materials and botanicals, includingContinue reading “The Colorful Spirit of an Ancient Craft”
Chimugukuru @Okinawa Wakamono Taikai
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,Continue reading “Chimugukuru @Okinawa Wakamono Taikai”
These Old Weaving Tools…
I like these old weaving tools… and sometimes wonder what some of these old tools have seen… Did they belong to a hillside bashofu weaver and spinner? Like the tools that belong to my Izumi family? Have they seen Spring days of Ai Zomme (indigo dyeing) and kasuri splashes? Maybe they’ve even survived the daysContinue reading “These Old Weaving Tools…”
The Weaving of Flowers
Shuri Hana Ori is a float weave structure that originated in Shuri, the capitol of the Ryukyu Kingdom, during the Ryukyu Kingdom period (15 – 19th century). Shuri is located on Okinawa Island, Japan. Hana means “flower” and “ori” means weaving in Japanese, therefore Shuri Hana Ori (or, Hana Ui in Ryukyuan language) is essentiallyContinue reading “The Weaving of Flowers”
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…”
Houston Area Fiber Artists – November 9 and 10
“Ryukyu Weaving and Dyeing: Fabrics that Guard the Spirit” Date: November 9, 2011 Time: 7:00 pm Where: Houston Area Fiber Artists (HAFA) Meeting Location: St. Philips United Methodist Church, 5501 Beechnut, Houston, TX USA ******************************************* Date: November 10, 2011 Time: 10:30 am Where: Houston Area Fiber Artists (HAFA) Meeting Location: Tracy Gee Community Center, 3599Continue reading “Houston Area Fiber Artists – November 9 and 10”
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”
Spinning the Fibers of the Ryukyus
Oh, lucky me! Recently, i attended the Contemporary Handweavers of Texas (CHT) Conference held in College Station, Texas USA. At the Conference, i participated in a 2 day bast and luxury fiber spinning class…Flax, Hemp, Ramie, Bamboo….and, ooohhh so lovely, Tussah Silk. Our instructor was Patsy Zawistoski. Patsy is a master handspinner in the United States.Continue reading “Spinning the Fibers of the Ryukyus”
Scharine Kirchoff, Fiber Artist 