Ishigaki City Traditional Arts Museum, Ishigaki Island Okinawa Japan

Ishigaki and the Yaeyama Islands are known for their high quality cloth making techniques, known as Minsar and Joufu. In the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom this cloth was famous and sought after by trade missions from China, Japan, and else where.

Minsar is a technique used to dye cotton bright and vibant colors. Minsar is said to have originated in India where it is known as “mensa”. Joufu is high quality linen created from weaving hemp.

The purpose of the Ishigaki City Traditional Arts Museum is to allow visitors to see how these crafts were historically created and are still created today. The museum also has lectures and exhibitions on the history of these methods and the significance of them to Yaeyama culture.

From Ishigaki Airport: Approx. 5 min. by car
From Ishigaki Port: Approx. 5 min by car

Open hours: 09:00 – 17:00
Address: 783-2 Tonoshiro, Ishigaki, Okinawa
Phone: 098-82-5200