Shuri-ori
首里織PracticeWoven in the royal capital of Shuri; national traditional craft since 1983
Shuri-ori is the family of fine woven textiles from the old royal capital of Shuri above Naha, and Japan designated it a traditional craft in 1983. You can try weaving it in a short class at Tenbusu Naha on Kokusai-dori.
Shuri grew up as a political city around the castle, and the kingdom's crafts gathered there. Workshops for bingata dyeing and Shuri hanaori weaving still lie scattered through its neighbourhoods. The name Shuri-ori covers the woven cloths of this old capital, and Japan designated it a traditional craft in 1983.
The designation covers Naha, Nishihara and Haebaru, so the weavers today work in the towns east of Naha as well as in Shuri itself. Tenbusu Naha on Kokusai-dori is the city's centre for crafts and performance, and it runs hands-on classes in Shuri-ori alongside Tsuboya ware, bingata, Ryukyu lacquer and Ryukyu glass.
Visiting with care
Shuri-ori is a working craft made in workshops in Shuri and nearby towns, and visitors meet it mainly through shops and classes.
- Shuri-ori is made in private workshops; see and try it through the hands-on classes at Tenbusu Naha on Kokusai-dori
- Ask before entering any workshop you come across in Shuri
- Ask before photographing weavers at the loom
- Keep hands off thread on the loom
Worth knowing
- Tenbusu Naha is at Makishi 3-2-10 on Kokusai-dori; call 098-868-7810 for class times.
- Pair a class with a walk in Shuri, where bingata and weaving workshops sit among the houses.
Go and see
Where to see Shuri-ori場所
FAQ
Quick answers about Shuri-oriよくある質問
What is Shuri-ori?
Shuri-ori is the woven cloth of the old royal capital of Shuri. Japan designated it a traditional craft in 1983, and weavers in Naha, Nishihara and Haebaru make it.
Where can you try Shuri-ori weaving?
Tenbusu Naha on Kokusai-dori runs hands-on Shuri-ori classes. It also offers classes in bingata, Tsuboya ware, Ryukyu lacquer and Ryukyu glass.
How should you behave at Shuri-ori?
At Shuri-ori: Ask before photographing weavers at the loom. Keep hands off thread on the loom.