Tag Archives: Bast Fiber

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…”

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”

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”

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!