Home / Events / Bashofu - Living National Treasure Toshiko Taira and Kijoka Artisanship

Exhibition/event has ended.

Bashofu - Living National Treasure Toshiko Taira and Kijoka Artisanship

Museum “Eki” Kyoto

Finished

Artists

Toshiko Taira

Bashofu is a typical Okinawan textile made from the fiber obtained from the leafstalks of the "itobasho" plant, which is found mainly in the subtropical zone. Bashofu nearly disappeared after World War II, but it was Toshiko Taira, a living national treasure, who restored the fields of itobasho herself, established a workshop, and brought it to the present day in her native Ogimi Village, Kinyoka, Okinawa.

Bashofu begins with the cultivation of the ito-basho, which takes about three years to grow. After harvesting, the process of making the threads, dyeing, and weaving takes an enormous amount of time and nearly 30 steps to complete. This precious basho cloth is still carefully passed down to the next generation through the efforts and passion of the women of Kijoka.

This exhibition features approximately 70 items including kimonos, obis, sashes, and other materials made of bashofu. We hope you will enjoy the charm of the beautiful handicrafts of Okinawa's traditional culture, such as the translucent texture of the threads, the powerful colors of Ryukyu indigo and wheel plum, which have been handed down from generation to generation, and the rich variety of kasuri patterns.

First Period: September 9 (Sat) - October 3 (Tue)
Second Period: October 4 (Wed) - October 29 (Sun)

Schedule

Sep 9 (Sat) 2023-Oct 29 (Sun) 2023