Okinawa | Bingata Fabric

Okinawa | Bingata Fabric

from $440.00

[Private Masterclass]
$220 USD per person
Minimum of 2 people required. Solo guest may book at the price of 2 participants.

Please make your booking at least 7 days in advance

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Embrace the vibrant colors of Okinawan culture through the centuries-old heritage of bingata fabric dyeing

Details

Private Experience
Location: Tomigusuku, Okinawa
1.5 hours
5 people max per booking. Minimum 2 participants, solo guests may book at the price of 2 participants.
Offered in Japanese, with a friendly Deeper Japan guide interpreting in English

From Aristocracy to Everyday Art

With vivid colors, intricate stencil patterns featuring natural motifs, and a tropical vibrancy that contains both whimsy and elegance, Ryukyu bingata textiles are the very fabric of Okinawan culture. Originating in the Shuri area as far back as the 14th century, the bingata style sources inspiration from countless other countries once trade partners of this independent kingdom, including Japan, China, and Southeast Asia, showcasing the undeniable importance of trade relations throughout this island nation's history. As diplomats and commerce missions abroad depended upon seasonal trade winds and often required up to half a year's wait, countless textile dyeing techniques learned abroad were imported back to the Ryukyu kingdom from places as far as Indonesia or Vietnam. While once a textile that could only be worn by the royal or high-ranking classes, bingata garments later expanded to be beloved by all members of Okinawan society. Despite severe damage caused to the craft due to the effects of World War II, bingata artisans still carry on this heritage, completing the whole process of stencil creation and dyeing from start to finish. Material preparation requires careful precision, with pigment for the fabric requiring 2-3 months to fully develop, specific humidity necessary to create the dye-resist product, and stencils made from thousands of small knife punctures to create intricate lines. Study under a family of award-winning bingata artisans at their studio located south of Naha and wrap yourself in the colorful heritage of Ryukyu bingata garments.

What you’ll do

Learn about the history of bingata fabric in Okinawan culture from a master textile artisan. Observe the tools and techniques required to create this style of textile which has flourished since the 14th century.