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”
Tag Archives: Ryukyu Mura
Sugar Cane Dye
When my Okasan (mother) was a little girl, she remembers the local villagers processing newly cut sugarcane. She was often given a piece of cane as a treat on the way home from school by those working the cane in Izumi Village. Now, many Okinawans use sugarcane for dyeing. As in most Ryukyuan dye methods,Continue reading “Sugar Cane Dye”
Hai Sai!
Uchinanchu (people from Okinawa) speak the Uchina Guchi language. Hai Sai! is an everyday greeting translated to English as “Hello!”. Hai Sai friends!
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!
I Listen…
Sometimes i listen to the “strings of the Okinawan soul” as i weave…
I See the Sea…
Sometimes i see the beautiful sea in the Ryukyu Bingata textiles around me…do you see it too?
Scharine Kirchoff, Fiber Artist 