The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum will host the first major American exhibition devoted to the textiles of Okinawa, a Japanese island south of the country's mainland. The announcement came during a celebration of Okinawan culture at the residence of Japanese Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae last Thursday.
The exhibition is scheduled to launch in fall 2016 and will feature bingata, Okinawa’s traditional textiles, as well as contemporary fabrics designed by Okinawan artists and fashion designers. It will be part of the Okinawan Culture and Spirit Promotion Project, which Thursday’s event helped to promote.
“We’re here tonight to talk about a very special opportunity and a great privilege for our university,” President Steven Knapp said. “This is made possible by our affiliation with The Textile Museum and its extraordinary world-class materials that are available right here in the District of Columbia.”
Below are some highlights from the celebration, which included remarks from Amb. Sasae and Vice Governor of Okinawa Kurayoshi Takara, displays of Okinawan culture and cuisine from the island.
A toast kicks off the Okinawa Culture and Spirit Promotion Project.
Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae greets guests.
A chef demonstrates how to cut Okinawan sushi.
A drummer plays Okinawan music.
An Okinawan musician performs for guests.
Vice Governor of Okinawa Kurayoshi Takara presents President Knapp with a framed stencil used in creating bingata.
A dance performance inspired by weaving and textiles.
Another performance shows off Okinawan karate moves.
Dancers close the celebration.
Guests browse some of the Okinawan textiles on display during the celebration.
