Research on traditional dyed and woven fabrics of the Yaeyama Islands to utilise as a tourism resource

Abstract

Katachiki (recently named Bingata) is a traditional dyed craft found in Okinawa, Japan. It involves a stencilled resist dyeing technique and dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Sadly, many Bingata fabrics were lost during World War II. Preserving Bingata and other traditional fabrics is important for the local community and their traditions. These fabrics also hold important benefits for tourism and sustainability, including as new textile materials, souvenirs and for their innovative designs. Professor Mitsukuni Matayoshi, Department of Industry and Information Science, College of Industry and Information Science, Okinawa International University, Japan, is working with Associate Professor Tae Hisada, Faculty of the Arts (Correspondence Education) Department of Fine and Applied Arts, and Associate Professor Kunika Sakumoto, Okinawa Christian Junior College, to research traditional dyed textiles of the Yaeyama Islands in Okinawa that can be utilised as a tourism resource. One textile that the researchers are particularly interested in is a vegetable string called Tonbyan. The researchers are working to obtain Tonbyan fibres using a new approach. Once the fibres have been acquired they will weave cloth. They hope that their method for acquiring Tonbyan fibers will be useful for craftspeople.