Natalya is carrying out her dissertation research on the initiatives to sustain the production of the ramie textile Miyako Jofu, which is made through an intricate process that begins with harvesting the ramie plant, extracting the bast fibers by hand, and connecting them one by one into fine thread. She is wearing a Miyako Jofu kimono and obi at the kind invitation of the craftspeople who own the pieces. Miyako Jofu was designated as a traditional craft of Japan by the Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry in 1975 and is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its designation this year. It was further recognized as an Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government in 1978. As part of her dissertation fieldwork, Natalya has been learning the hand-spinning and twisting method for making the ramie thread for Miyako Jofu. The activities of the Miyako Textile Industry Association can be viewed on Instagram @miyakojoufu.
Meagan is in Tokyo to conduct archival and ethnographic research for her dissertation on contemporary TV period drama production practices inherited from the traditional kabuki theater. She visited the Miyako Jofu exhibition as a lover of fiber arts and to support both Natalya and the craftspeople. You can follow Meagan’s research journey on Instagram @jidaigeki.kenkyu and her (upcoming) website, jidaigeki-kenkyu.com.
