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”
Tag Archives: Okinawa Family
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…”
Shibori Wanderings
Wandering about Izumi Village in Okinawa, Japan has it’s advantages. Someone always seems to have a Ryukyu Ai (indigo) pot available in this region of Okinawa Island known for its Ryukyu Ai production and dyework. So, after wandering about and talking to my Izumi family members and other locals, I found a Ryukyu Ai vatContinue reading “Shibori Wanderings”
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”
My Obaasan is 105 years old…
My Obaasan (grandmother), a Ryukyuan weaver, is 105 years old. I sent her my handwoven cloth for Mother’s Day…
Off We Go…”Ikimashou”
My Okinawa family said “Off we go to Kijoka. Let’s go!” “We’re off to Sensei Taira’s bashofu art studio ikimashou (let’s go)!”
A Weave is Lost…
My Okasan (mother) says that “a Bashofu weave is lost unless the threads are knotted”…so, i practice tying knots… There are 20,000 knots in a single handwoven Bashofu kimono…so, i practice tying knots the way my Okasan taught me…
Contemporary Handweavers of Houston – April 21
“Ryukyu Weaving: Fabrics that Guard the Spirit” Date: April 21, 2011 Time: 7:00 pm Where: Contemporary Handweavers of Houston (CHH) Location: Bayou Manor, 4141 South Braeswood, Houston, TX USA Note that my presentation fee will be donated to the Japan Red Cross to help the tsunami victims in dire need of our support.
A Butterfly in the Wind…
My Oba (Aunt) is a dancer…i think she dances like a butterfly in the wind…
Ai Dye…
My weaving and dyeing heritage originates from Izumi Village where the locals have practiced indigo cultivation for centuries. Ryukyu Ai (indigo) is a native plant. Those in Izumi have a long and proud Ai Zomme (indigo dyeing) heritage. With the help of my Okinawan family, Ai dye now too!
Scharine Kirchoff, Fiber Artist 