You-I
- Gallery: Room 93
- Maker: Teruya Yuken
- Culture: Reiwa Era
- Made in: Okinawa-ken
- Date: 2022
- Object type: robe
- Materials: banana fibre
- Museum number: 2023,3008.1
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
"結い、You-I" presents a striking women's robe crafted from bashofu, a rare fabric made from banana plant fibers. The upper section is decorated with bingata, a traditional Okinawan resist-dye technique, featuring pine trees, cherry blossoms, swallows, and surprisingly, F-16 fighter jets and parachutes. The lower part includes flowing water, dugongs, chrysanthemums, v-22 osprey aircraft, runways, and images of protest signs—elements that point to modern issues and resistance.
Created by Teruya Yuken, who grew up in Okinawa, this work blends ancient techniques with contemporary themes. The artist reflects on the impact of US military presence, democracy, and environmental challenges in the region. Traditional symbols coexist with references to modern conflict and protest, making this a thoughtfully layered piece.
The robe showcases a collaborative effort, with weaving by Asai Yumiko and dyeing by Kinjo Koji. It marks the first time the Museum has acquired a robe featuring both bingata and bashofu. Traditionally reserved for Okinawan elites, this robe is part of a rare collection of historically significant textiles.
See it in person
You-I is on display in Room 93 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and take a photo of it to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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