Chinen Bingata Laboratory

During the Ryukyu Dynasty, the Chinen family learned karakami and gilt-paper techniques from China and was granted the rank of "Chikudon-pechin" by the royal court. Bearing the role of dyeing bingata used in royal and warrior-class garments, the family entrusted Ryukyu's rich nature and culture to patterns and colors. Even through turbulent eras of the Satsuma invasion, the Ryukyu disposal, and war, the Chinen family continued to protect stencils and materials — never extinguishing the flame of bingata.

In the postwar turmoil, many stencils and materials were exposed to the danger of being burned — but the large number of stencils remaining in the Chinen family were temporarily evacuated, by connection, into the hands of a mainland dyeing artist — and are said to have greatly contributed to the subsequent bingata revival. Because of such predecessors' choices and actions, Ryukyu bingata still lives today.

In 1972, as successor of the Shimogibo Chinen — one of the three head families — Sadao Chinen established "Chinen Bingata Laboratory." Today, 3rd-generation Toma Chinen serves as representative, and together with workshop staff, faces both inheriting traditional techniques and new work creation. The workshop name holds up "Laboratory" so as not to forget the attitude of "because you never know when a good work will be born, keep learning every day."

At the workshop in Uebaru, Naha, mainly built-to-order kimono, obi, dresses, and art pieces are made. Workshop tours and order consultations are accepted by advance reservation. Under the thoughts "as long as civilization continues, we want to leave bingata" and "we want to make it an industry where more people can continue engaging with bingata," Chinen Bingata Laboratory still applies colors and dyes cloth today.

Lineage of the Chinen family — one of the three head bingata families serving the Ryukyu Dynasty

Chinen Bingata Laboratory is a workshop carrying the flow of the Chinen family — which learned karakami and gilt-paper techniques from China during the Ryukyu Dynasty and was granted the rank of "Chikudon-pechin." Based on stencils and materials passed down in the family that dyed royal and warrior-class garments, the workshop still inherits Ryukyu bingata colors and patterns today.

Founded in 1972 — daily exploring techniques as a "Laboratory"

After postwar turmoil, Sadao Chinen revived the workshop as "Chinen Bingata Laboratory (Shimogibo Chinen)" in 1972. In addition to stencils and techniques inherited as one of the three head families, while researching new dyeing and expression methods, the workshop engages in daily work creation. With the predecessor's words "you never know when a good work will be born — so keep learning every day" in heart, the entire workshop values the attitude befitting the name "Laboratory."

Pigments and dyes, rice paste and soy milk. Everything completed in one workshop

Ryukyu bingata is a dyeing that completes all processes in one workshop — from design making and stencil carving to paste application, color drawing, kuma-dori (shading), background dyeing, and mizumoto (washing). At Chinen Bingata Laboratory, colors are made with an original blend mixing soy milk into pigments — while protecting rice paste resist and nine basic processes, colors are layered on a piece of cloth.

Bingata accompanying modern lifestyles — from kimono and obi to one-pieces

Beyond classical-pattern kimono and obi, the workshop also develops items easy to incorporate into modern attire — one-pieces, blouses. Cooperating with select shops nationwide and online projects, the workshop proposes enjoying bingata as daily attire. Colors and patterns harboring Ryukyu's nature and stories quietly accompany daily living.