Weave　(p. 140 )

1. Produced in Shuri Naha City, Okinawa Prefecture.

2. Characteristics: Silk fabric woven with threads dyed in a primitive way. They are dyed with raw indigo leaves without fermenting them. Designs are checks with Kasuri designs and woven in "Ro"(silk gauze) and "Sha"(gauze).

3. Uses:Clothing.

4. History: The origin is not clear but the dyeing technique has been used here since old days because the fermentation of indigo was first made in the Nara Period (710-794).

Dyeing Method

1. The indigo color is extracted after raw indigo leaves are dipped in the water with a temperature of 50 to 60 degrees centigrade.

2. Leaves are taken out when the water becomes light blue.

3. Threads are dipped in the liquid, taken out to be squeezed and ventilated well.

4. The above steps are repeated 14 or 15 times.

5. The dyed threads are now tie-dyed with plant dyes to produce Kasuri threads.