Mekong River Textiles

I must share this textile masterpiece

The Okinawan robe on view at the exhibition “Enduring Traditions: Celebrating the World of Textiles" is especially dear to me.

a quick anecdote ✨

In 2015, I accompanied my friend Mieko Maeshiro on her trip to her homeland, Okinawa. There, she introduced me to unique textiles that left me speechless.

At the Shiroma Bingata Studio workshop in Naha, where Mieko studied, Mr. Eichi Shiroma showed us his Bingata resist-dyed techniques on silk from start to finish. Bingata is a complex resist-dyeing textile process using rice paste, pigments, and stencils that involves great skill, rigorous standards, attention to detail, and sublime artistry.

I enjoyed the elegant native tropical creatures, plants, and flowers floating on the yellow ground in this bingata and was reminded of Okinawa’s wonderful people and culture.

I am most grateful for such a marvelous opportunity, a memory that will stay with me forever.

The bright yellow robe at the exhibition would have been worn in traditional dance performances or by the aristocracy. You too can see this show, currently running at the Textile Museum.

Don't miss the opportunity!

- Susan