Figures & data
Figure 1 Kazuhito Kanai, the Shachō (company president) of Kanai Kougei, dyeing Oshima tsumugi yarn in the dorota (mud-field).
Figure 2 The Ryūkyū islands.
Figure 3 Contemporary Tatsugo pattern featuring hibiscus, sotetsu leaves, and the pattern of habu skin.
Figures 4 From back left: Koji-ani and Nagata-san drying tsumugi yarn; workshop participant in yellow overall; Satoko-san dyeing tenugui; Kazu-san dyeing tsumugi yarn.
Figures 5 Close up of Satoko-san and Kazu-san using the dorozome technique.
Figure 6 Kurume gasuri design showing yarn bindings.
Figure 7 A Kurume gasuri weaver re-aligns the weft yarns as she weaves.
Figure 8 A weaver on the shimebata loom, creating the tsumugi mat ready for dyeing.
Figure 9 A promotional leaflet from Okinawa c.1960, aimed at American tourists.
Figure 10 A kimono from the 1950s.
Figure 11 A tsumugi tanmono is approved and stamped at the tsumugi union.
Figure 12 Eriko Kanai wearing Oshima tsumugi at her friend’s wedding in the 1970s. Photo: Eriko Kanai.
Figure 13 Kanai Kougei’s employees during the time of my fieldwork.
Figure 14 Takahito-san drying tsumugi yarn. He begun in apparel but is now also a tsumugi apprentice.
Figure 15 The sales gallery at Kanai Kougei.
