Yuji Ara

  • Textiles
  • 1961 -
Yuji Ara

Expressing the natural features of Ishigaki Island in kimonos and obi sashes made from ramie, the same material used to weave Ishigaki's traditional textile, Yaeyama Jofu, with traditional Kasuri patterns.

Membership Full member, Japan Kogei Association
Okinawa Prefecture Craftsman, Textiles Division (certified by Okinawa Prefecture in 2017)
  • 1961 Born in Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture
  • 1982 Trained at the Okinawa Craft Training Center (current Okinawa Prefecture Craft Promotion Center), textiles course
  • 1983 Entered Azamiya Co., Ltd. , Planning Department, Design Office
  • 1989 Becomes Production Managing Director (Head of the production factory)
  • 1994 Yaeyama Jofu "Water Rings" selected for the first time at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, submits to the Exhibition every year from this year onward
  • 1995 Yaeyama Jofu "Water Rings" selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 1996 Yaeyama Jofu "Hazy Moon and Flowers" selected for the West Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
    Introduced in magazine "Fujingaho Utsukushii Kimono (Beautiful Kimonos)" column by novelist Wahei Tatematsu
  • 2000 Yaeyama Jofu "Link of Chrysanthemums" selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
    Submitted to the "Dyeing, Weaving and Praying" Wa no Kai Exhibition at Ginza, Tokyo
  • 2007 Cotton Hassun Obi "Waterfall" selected for the 59th Okiten
    Selected for other various exhibitions
  • 2009 Dyeing and Weaving the Beautiful Sea and Mountains - Yuji Ara and Hiroshi Kasahara Two-person Exhibition at Arts and Crafts Gallery Rangakusha, Miyazaki
  • 2013 Yaeyama Jofu ”Fireworks Set Off" selected for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, introduced in article of magazine Fujingaho ”Kyoko Mano visiting Kimono Heritage: My Yaeyama, Wearing the Beautiful Sea"

  • 2005Recieved the Japan Kogei Association New Artist Award for Yaeyama Jofu "Starry Night Sky" at the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition
  • 2006Received the Chugoku Shimbun Award for Dioscorea Rhipogonoides Dyed Hemp Obi "Round Clouds" at the 40th Textiles Traditional Kōgei Exhibition

Price Range

$ 1,000 - 4,000

The prices of the artworks on Gallery Japan are determined by the artists themselves and are published directly on the website.

3 artworks posted