Taira Toshiko, Basho-fu

Taira worked at a spinning mill in Kurashiki, Okayama (now known as Kurabo Industries, Ltd) after Japan surrendered at the end of WWII. During her days in Kurashiki, President Ohara Soichiro of Kurabo Industries introduced her to Kichinosuke Tonomura, the Founder of Kurashiki Museum of Folk Craft, so she could study the basics of dyeing and weaving. Highly influenced by the Mingei Movement of Yanagi Muneyoshi, she became determined to revive bashofu production and returned to Okinawa in 1946.
Social and life style changes made it difficult to build a viable industry, so hard times dragged on, but after repeatedly showcasing bashofu in various exhibitions, she gained high acclaim. Then, in the year 2000, Toshiko Taira was designated a Living National Treasure.