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”

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”

Exhibition: HAFA Gallery Show…Houston, TX USA

Please join us at the upcoming Houston Area Fiber Artists (HAFA) juried gallery show, October 23-November 10 at Gallery M Squared, Houston, TX. I have several pieces in the exhibit and look forward to seeing you at the reception held on Oct. 26!

Coastal Fiberarts 2013

I’m so pleased that two of my fiberart pieces were selected by Shelley Sokolofsky, juror, for inclusion in  the Coastal Fiberarts 2013 exhibit in Astoria, Oregon.  The exhibit is presented by Astoria Visual Arts in cooperation with Clatsop Community College. My work in the exhibit includes a handwoven traditional Ryukyu Kasuri (ikat) fabric vest… andContinue reading “Coastal Fiberarts 2013”

July 30, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo – Ryukyu Textiles Workshop in the News

There are some nice photos of our 2013 Wakamono Taikai  Conference participants reported in the July 30, 2013 Okinawa Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper… Yes, we even have a nice photo of our Ryukyu Textiles Workshop participants.  Thank you Ryukyu Shimpo, and many thanks to the participants in my Ryukyu textiles workshop!  It was an honour toContinue reading “July 30, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo – Ryukyu Textiles Workshop in the News”

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…”