Kamakura Yoshitaro

A photo of Nakagusuku udun, taken by Kamakura in the 1920s

• Born: 1898/10/9
• Died: 1983/8/3
• Japanese: 鎌倉芳太郎 (Kamakura Yoshitarou)

Kamakura Yoshitarô was a 20th century traditional textile artist, designated a Living National Treasure for his skill at the traditional art of katazome, or resist-dyeing. Kamakura was also an influential scholar of Okinawan history, publishing works on bingata (Okinawan resist-dyeing textile arts) and other aspects of Okinawan culture and history, as well as numerous photographs of historical sites in Okinawa. He also amassed a very significant collection of historical documents and artifacts.

Originally from Kagawa prefecture, Kamakura graduated from the Tokyo School of Fine Arts, and later became a teacher at the Okinawa Prefectural Number One Girls' High School & Normal School. Beginning in 1924, he played an active role in efforts to conserve Shuri castle.

References

• "Kamakura Yoshitarô," Okinawa Compact Encyclopedia, Ryukyu Shimpo, 1 March 2003.