The Beginning of Our Business was the Difficulty in Selling Textiles

Please tell us more about "Yaeyama Minsah-ori Weaving."

"Yaeyama Minsah-ori Weaving" is a kasuri weaving made from dyed cotton yarns into plain weave. It is woven in Ishigaki City and Taketomi Town and was designated as a national traditional craft in 1989, then referred to as "Yaeyama Minsah."

Okinawa has a variety of dyed textiles, but "Yaeyama Minsah-ori Weaving" is distinctive for its kasuri patterns of five and four motifs, incorporating tropical colors like red and blue.

This five and four kasuri pattern bears the meaning "forever," and was traditionally given by women to men as a token of engagement.

Since when has your company been involved with "Yaeyama Minsah-ori Weaving"?

Our company was founded in 1971 by my parents, just before Okinawa's return to Japanese administration. They envisioned that various businesses would start emerging in the islands due to the reversion, and decided to turn the weaving craft they had pursued into an industry.

As anticipated, the return of Okinawa led to a surge in tourists. We created souvenirs to meet the needs of visitors. Once the booms of honeymoon trips dwindled, the "Yaeyama Minsah-ori Weaving" slogan "forever" resonated as a perfect souvenir, becoming a particularly popular product.

I joined the company as the trend began to settle.