An exploration in digital techniques to read Ainu textile patterns

Purpose This study explores previous research related to textile management technologies, detecting gaps and opportunities for textiles made by Ainu people. We also propose an approach to digitally read Ainu textile patterns. Design/methodology/approach We employed indigenous and pluriversal design frameworks to evaluate textile pattern technologies. They were operationalised as Indigenous/local researchers involved in the investigation, multi-sensoriality of analysed items, prosperity for everyone involved, communal property of data, biological awareness, social complexity awareness and sensitivity of the analysed method if the items change. Findings Textile pattern technology researchers have mostly used neural networks and clustering methods. They have addressed social aspects since the 2000s. Investigations into the generation of textiles based in Poland constantly reflected the most pluriversal characteristics. Regarding Ainu textile research, most investigations have cited Indigenous sources. Two gaps emerged: the concentration of research datasets and results in enterprises or scholars and the focus on the formal characteristics of Ainu patterns in technical papers and contextual characteristics in ethnographic papers. Research limitations/implications Heritage management is increasingly employing technological tools that should consider the sustainability of handmade/artisanal goods. As most investigations on textile patterns are conducted by the industry, their benefits are limited for heritage conservation. Practical implications Therefore, we suggest digital experts work together with ethnography and Indigenous experts, proposing a method for digital reading of Ainu textile patterns that incorporates pluriversal aspects into heritage conservation. Originality/value Pluriversal design is a set of onthologies proposed with Indigenous, mestizo and minorities from the Americas that is currently being diffused in the rest of the world, highly compatible with the analysis of Indigenous heritage.