Breaking News: Shukumine Kyoko certified as a 'Living National Treasure'

Breaking News: Shukumine Kyoko has been certified as a 'Living National Treasure' (Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder)."

From the Cultural Affairs Council, established by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, it was announced on Friday July 21st that Shukumine Kyoko has been certified as a "Living National Treasure" (Important Intangible Cultural Property Holder) for her work in the field of Shuri-ori.

Shuri-ori was developed around the Shuri area during the Ryukyu Kingdom and was worn as clothing by the royal and warrior classes. Shukumine is now one of only two holders of this title in the field of Shuri-ori, after Miyahira Hatsuko who was decorated in 1998, later passed away in 2022.

Born in Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture, Shukumine studied Okinawan weaving and dyeing under Yanagi Yoshitaka while at the Women's University of Fine Arts (Joshi-bi) in Tokyo. Shukumine does not only weave, but is also heavily involved in research and the and restoration of textiles from the Ryukyu Kingdom housed in German museums, and has also devoted herself to mentoring and deleping the skills of the next generation of Shuri-ori weavers.

 We would like to congratulate Shumine Kyoko for the fantastic award.

Kyusun-Nagoya Obi, Shukumine Kyoko

Click here to view obi (Japanese only)