Fujisaki-sensei has been dyeing Okinawan bingata textiles for over 50 years. His status as a bingata great is undeniable with his exquisite designs and color combinations.
During our visit, Yuki and I were first shown his showroom. Passing through a long noren, we entered a meeting room with an impressive table and an alcove displaying beautiful examples of his bingata work.
On the way to the workroom, we walked through a shop filled with everything from purses to noren to umbrellas touched with bingata patterns.
The dyeing room was as spacious as those found in regional textile centers. When I asked how many people worked at the studio, I was surprised to learn that it was just Fujisaki-sensei and his assistant, Reika Kitagawa!
In the next space there was a steam house—a feature typically only seen in the largest facilities. Again, very impressive.
Around the corner, we entered a room with multiple sinks for rinsing projects, and dyeing supplies.
Fujisaki-sensei and I discussed our upcoming Textile Treasures of Okinawa tour. We’re planning a special workshop where participants come to his studio three mornings in a row to complete a complex bingata-dyeing project.
As we left, it was hard to miss that even the property around Fujisaki’s studio was expansive!
To see the website for Fujisaki +click here
Location
418 Abu, Nago City, Okinawa
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ABOUT US: Okan Arts, a petite family business, is co-owned by mother-daughter duo Patricia Belyea and Victoria Stone. Patricia and Victoria sell Japanese textiles online, host creative quilting experiences, and lead quilting & textile tours to Japan.
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