Exhibition overview
Textiles are woven into the fabric of our lives, in clothing, everyday items, and home decor. This exhibition showcases select Asian textile artifacts from the Museum collection, organized around three themes: “Covering and Containing”, “Decorating and Identifying”, and “Protecting and Blessing”. These themes explore the textiles’ practical functions, social significance, and symbolic meanings, highlighting their diverse roles across time and space. This exhibition also features a learning zone that introduces basic fiber materials and crafting techniques through actual examples, enlarged illustrations, and tactile exhibits. In consideration of visually impaired audiences, a booklet with both regular text and Braille is provided. Additionally, the "Wedding Attire" section, aligned with the annual theme of the NPM Asian Art Festival, showcases wedding garments from across Asia to reveal ceremonial traditions as well as people’s wishes for a better life.
 
* Special thanks to the National Museum of Prehistory for generously loaning Taiwanese indigenous textile artifacts, which has greatly enriched the content of this exhibition.
 
I. Covering and Containing
Textiles are produced using various fibers and techniques, and serve multiple practical functions. They can be used to wrap the body, providing coverage and protection. They can also be employed to cover spaces, enhancing appearance and coziness, thereby creating a specific atmosphere. Moreover, they are capable of containing items, offering proper storage and convenience for carrying around.
 
II. Decorating and Identifying
Textiles often play an important role in decoration and identification within societies. Through the use of various materials, techniques, forms, colors, and patterns in fabrics and garments, people not only enhance their appearance and showcase their personal style and aesthetic taste, but also provide rich visual information that signifies the wearer’s social status and identity.
 
III. Protecting and Blessing
Across many cultures, textiles are imbued with spiritual symbolism and function. Some people believe that certain textiles possess magical powers, capable of warding off misfortune and illness, and safeguarding individuals as they pass through important stages of life, such as birth, coming of age, marriage, and death. In addition, the decorative patterns on textiles often carry auspicious meanings, representing blessings and hopes for a brighter future.
 
Wedding Attire: Okinawan
In modern Okinawan weddings, couples can choose between Western attire, traditional Japanese kimonos, and unique local traditional costumes. These outfits are inspired by the ancient ceremonial attire of the Ryukyu nobility. The colors and patterns of the costumes no longer signify social status but mark special occasions such as graduation photos or wedding banquets.
The groom typically wears a hachimachi hat and a wide-sleeved monochromatic robe, gathered in front with a broad belt. The bride’s hair is styled in a traditional Okinawan bun (karaji) adorned with a long hairpin (jiifaa). She wears a vibrant bingata-like robe, known for its colorful and elegant design, bringing a bright, warm island touch to the ensemble