Episode 3: Kanemotogwaa family
　part-1

Tomiko* was raised by an aunt who worked with Bashofu (Okinawan banana-fiber cloth). This aunt was “Kanemotogwaa-obaa” (Aunt Kanemotogwaa), who passed away at the age of 110. Since Kanemotogwaa-obaa had been making Bashofu for many years, Tomiko grew up watching her weave and making the threads even before starting elementary school, helping her with the work. She was also instructed on how to care for and manage the thread-banana plants.
After marrying into a farming family, she stepped away from Bashofu making for a while. However, around the age of 60, she fully re-engaged in the craft.
As she grew older (around her 80s), she would say, “I will never turn my back on Bashofu. Thread-making (u-umi) is my job—it’s all I have.” She has kept at it to this day.

* name has been changed to protect her privacy

#kijokabashofu