YOKANG Designs Original Kariyushi Wear for Staff at Okinawa Chuo High School

Okinawa Chuo High School, a wide-area, credit-based correspondence high school operated by Chuo Kokusai Gakuen Educational Corporation (located in Miyakojima, Okinawa; Principal: Yukio Miyaguni), unveiled original commemorative kariyushi wear for its staff, designed by YOKANG, a leading Okinawan fashion brand, at its entrance ceremony held on April 5, 2026. At the ceremony, designer Kanna Yamauchi, who created the design, took the stage. She shared her thoughts behind the wear's design and delivered a message celebrating the new beginnings for incoming students and their guardians.

### Background of the Original Uniform Design
The wear worn by the staff was created by YOKANG, a brand that continues the 55-year tradition of Bingata dyeing in Naha while evolving with its unique sensibility. The design incorporates two special motifs that fuse the school's requests with the inspiration of Kanna Yamauchi and her husband, Hiroshi Tanaka:

* Deigo flower: Okinawa's prefectural flower, blooming around the school building.
* Irabu Bridge: A bridge of hope connecting Miyakojima and Irabujima.

During the design process, Ms. Yamauchi overlaid the unique shape of the Irabu Bridge, with its "flat parts, suddenly high like a wall, and undulating sections," with the "lives" of students who will overcome rough seas. This time, two patterns, including photographic elements, designed by Ms. Yamauchi and Mr. Tanaka respectively, were adopted.

### Summary of Congratulatory Address by Kanna Yamauchi
On the day of the entrance ceremony, Ms. Yamauchi conveyed the following message to the new students, sharing her own experiences:

* "Regional characteristics are your greatest weapon."
* "When I went abroad, I made many friends by being able to dance Kachashi, an Okinawan tradition. Growing up in the Miyako-Irabu region and experiencing the rhythm and culture of this land will surely become your 'courage' and 'weapon' in the future."
* "Polish yourselves, rough gems, into jewels."
* "All of you are rough gems harboring diamonds and sapphires within. Even if you stumble, consider it a process of being polished to shine as a jewel now. I hope you will gain many experiences in your youth, polish yourselves, and find your own unique jewel."

### Future Development
Okinawa Chuo High School will promote educational activities rooted in the local community, respecting the individuality of each student, much like this original commemorative kariyushi wear that fuses "region" and "tradition."

### About YOKANG
A fashion brand based in Naha, Okinawa, rooted in the 55-year tradition of Bingata dyeing passed down from the designer's mother's generation. Founded by designer Kanna Yamauchi and her husband Hiroshi Tanaka. With the concept of "connecting tradition to the next generation," the brand develops unique designs by researching and fusing diverse methods, including digital technology and airbrush techniques derived from Bingata. It constantly challenges new expressions while cherishing Okinawan identity.

Message video from Kanna Yamauchi: https://youtu.be/vXq4t_61mgA

### School Overview:
* School Name: Okinawa Chuo High School
* Location: 1079-1 Irabuzae, Irabu, Miyakojima, Okinawa 906-0501
* Principal: Yukio Miyaguni
* Opening Date: October 1, 2025
* Curriculum: Credit-based, Correspondence Course (Wide Area)
* Department: General Course
* URL: https://www.chuo-kokusai.ac.jp/okinawa/

### Corporate Overview:
* Corporate Name: Chuo Kokusai Gakuen Educational Corporation
* Location: 1528 Kubo, Isumi-gun, Onjuku-machi, Chiba 299-5102
* Chairman: Mamoru Saito
* Founded: October 2013
* URL: https://chuo-kokusai.ac.jp/