Keeping Japan's ryukyu fabric tradition alive By Makoto Miyazaki
Publisher:The Yomiuri Shimbun - Publication Date: 06-06-2008

Yomitanzan Hanaori is a lovely fabric with colourful thread standing out against the plain fabric, giving it the appearance that it is dotted with flowers.

The fabric, which is also known as Yuntanza Hanaui, has been around for 600 years, handed down from generation to generation in Yomitanson, a village that used to supply the government of the Ryukyu Kingdom. However, the fabric has rarely been seen since the middle of the Meiji era (1868-1912).

In 1964, Mayor Shotoku Ikehara, concerned that the product might disappear entirely, called on local residents to revive the tradition. Heeding his call, Sada Yonamine and others from the village's women's society spent 10 years reproducing the fabric using traditional methods.

Because of this achievement, Yonamine was designated a living national treasure in 1991.

The fabric has three basic patterns: Jinbana, a circular pattern representing money; Kajimaya, an X-shaped pattern symbolising longevity; and Ojibana, a triangle-shaped pattern representing prosperity for descendants.

Yomitanzan Hanaori is also used in a product called tisaji, which is woven by women in the prayerful hope that relatives will remain safe during a journey, or as a gift for a man they love.

Though tisaji refers to a hand towel in the Yomitanson dialect, the Yomitanzan Hanaori tisaji specifically refers to the decorative cloth worn over the shoulders and head.

Yonamine's disciple, Yasuko Shimabukuro, says she is dedicated to protecting the tradition of weaving Yomitanzan Hanaori fabrics.

"Our teacher told us to keep the basic patterns in the fabric even when we think up new designs," Shimabukuro said. "We'll protect the tradition, regardless of (changing) consumer tastes."

Currently, about 180 villagers weave the fabric at three locations. Only local residents are allowed to produce Yomitanzan Hanaori, indicating the village's determination to keep the tradition alive in its purest form.

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