The Ryukyu Kingdom (15C-19C) flourished in present-day Okinawa through international trade and developed a unique culture known for its beautifully dyed and woven textiles. While craftspeople have made painstaking efforts to revive some of these traditions after their loss in the Battle of Okinawa (1945), one textile called "ton-byan" remains to be a mystery for many. Leading textile designer Sudo Reiko is among those who have been attracted to "ton-byan" for many years. As she travels Okinawa in search of traces of this craft, she uncovers the history and wishes for peace at the core of Ryukyu textiles. [Read more…]