Mari Yamaguchi: Japanese Bast Textile Collection
Cathy Koos
(unless noted, all photos by C Koos)
photo PTA
On a recent trip to Fort Bragg, I visited with members of the Pacific Textile Arts Center. When I walked in the front door, I was absolutely stunned to see the Japanese textile collection on display in the gallery.
Local textile artisan, Mari Yamaguchi of Ryukyu Textiles, has curated an amazing assemblage of bast fiber garments, kimono, and samples from her numerous trips back home to Japan. New to fiber arts when she moved to Fort Bragg in 2008, she quickly became focused on bast fiber production in her homeland.
The collection on display primarily centers on eight bast fibers, including hemp, ramie, kudzu, linden, wisteria, basho, elm bark, paper mulberry, and even banana.
Bast fibers have been utilized in Japan possibly as far back as 10,000 years. Mari collected and processed the fibers with permission. Some areas are protected. While the exhibit is now closed, you have an opportunity to view the video workshop Mari taught at the PTA center in June by going to https://www.pacifictextilearts.org/
Here for your enjoyment are photos from the gallery:
