Ryukyu Bingata
“Ryukyu Bingata is a resist-dyed textile which signified Okinawa, lasting for almost 400 years. The technique of resist-dye has reached Okinawa from China and Southeast Asia in the 14C to 15C, through the active international trades of Ryukyu Kingdom era. The technique developed within Okinawa, and the art of Bingata resist-dye, using stencil papers and bright color pigments, was established as Okinawa’s original. During the Ryukyu Kingdom era, only those of the royal family or aristocratic class were allowed to wear Bingata, so after the kingdom’s fall, the technique gradually declined, and was severely affected by World War II. After the war, it was revived, and its beauty and technique is now protected and passed down as Okinawa’s identity.”