experience・tourism・shopping 2023.12.03

“Shuri Ryusen” is a traditional craft that you can’t find anywhere else.

Writer

左右田知子

Born in 1979 in Kanagawa Prefecture. Rough personality but serious. Moved to Okinawa on a whim and opened a cafe. Fascinated by the sea and people, he is still enjoying Okinawan life with a fresh feeling even after more than 10 years. She loves the ocean, traveling, tableware, and trying new foods.

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I’ve lived in Okinawa for 12 years and have enjoyed many experiences making things in Okinawa, so this time I’d like to introduce you to them!

Discover special items created using Shuri Ryusen techniques and natural dyes

Shuri Ryusen is Okinawa’s first plant-dyed bingata research institute, established for the purpose of “revitalizing bingata and developing and passing on dyeing techniques.” Inheriting the techniques from our predecessors who were also successful researchers in natural dyes, we continue to create a variety of products using Okinawa’s traditional craft, bingata, and Shuri Ryusen’s unique dyeing technique, “coral dyeing.”

You can experience coral dyeing and tour the workshop, which is fun for both children and adults!

This is Shuri Ryusen, an elegant building built on the site of the former gate that served as the entrance to the road leading to Shuri Castle.

When you pass through the noren (curtain), you will see a “uchu,” a vehicle used by the king during the period when Okinawa was the Kingdom of Ryukyu, on display, and you can feel the history of Okinawa along with Bingata and coral-dyed items.

On the first floor, Shuri Ryusen’s bingata and coral dyed works are displayed and sold. There is a wide range of products available, including traditional items as well as items with modern designs that are suitable for everyday use. There are many eye-catching items that can be easily incorporated into everyday life, such as ties, scarves, and pouches.

Coral brings happiness? ! This is the only place where you can experience dyeing using this fossil.

Coral, which takes a long time to grow in the ocean, has been said to bring happiness since ancient times. You can experience coral dyeing using coral fossils. You can choose the material to dye from furoshiki, tenugui, tote bags, and T-shirts. If you wear it, you’ll feel like happiness will come to you and your mood will improve!

There are many unique coral fossils of various sizes on the table, and we will use cross sections of them to create beautiful patterns on cloth. The coral used here was washed up on the beach over 50 years ago. Coral collecting is currently prohibited, so this is a valuable experience that can only be experienced here.

In the experience, you will use four different colors of dye, and as you dye, you will mix the dyes on the cloth to create the color of your choice. Finish the piece by combining beautiful gradation coral patterns. In addition to coral, we also have molds that can be dyed with shisa, fish, and the word “okinawa”, so you can freely create various designs.

There is a 5-minute explanation at the beginning, and the work takes about 45 minutes. It goes by in the blink of an eye. If you try to dye a blank piece of cloth without an image in mind, you’ll get confused, so it’s a good idea to look at the various items on display and imagine the finish you want before you start.

The work is completed by taking it home and ironing it to set the color, but some people also use it while traveling because they can receive it on the spot. Since it’s a cloth product, you don’t have to worry about it breaking, and it’s not bulky, which is helpful.

See the skills of craftsmen in a space surrounded by beautiful works

After climbing the stairs to the third floor, you will find a room full of colorful Okinawan dyed items lined up from the ceiling. The many fabrics stretched out on a work table called a taiko are a spectacular sight.

You can also see the raw materials for the natural dyes used here and the corals that are actually used by the craftsmen. You can also see the craftsmen at work, but it depends on the time, so if you want to be sure to see it, please inquire in advance.

Recommended points from our writer

Of course, the products are great as souvenirs from Okinawa, but they also make great gifts. In addition to the neckties mentioned above, we also have coasters and aprons that go well with both Japanese and Western atmospheres, as well as items in attractive colors that are carefully crafted by craftsmen one by one, and are sure to add color to your life. ! Please look at our products while remembering when to give a gift to someone in the future! They also have an online store, so be sure to check it out.