Oemah Batik

Background

Oemah Batik Lasem, also known as Oemah Batik Tiga Negeri or Rumah Merah Heritage Lasem, Museum Batik Tiga Negeri Lasem, is a showroom, museum, and cultural space dedicated to traditional batik. It is located in Lasem, Rembang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia.

The establishment has become an important center for the preservation and promotion of Lasem Batik, particularly Batik Tiga Negeri. It also serves as an interactive cultural space where visitors can discover the rich heritage of batik from the northern coast of Java.

Lasem is a historic coastal town on the northern coast of Central Java, renowned for its distinctive batik tradition. Lasem Batik reflects centuries of cultural interaction between Javanese and Chinese communities. Its signature red color and intricate motifs have made it an important part of the diverse heritage of Indonesian batik.

History and Function

Oemah Batik Lasem was established as a batik showroom around 2018. It functions as an exhibition, retail, and documentation center for Lasem Batik produced by more than 30 batik workshops throughout the Lasem area.

Its primary purpose is to support the marketing of traditional batik while preserving the techniques, production processes, and distinctive motifs of Lasem hand-drawn batik.

The Museum Batik Tiga Negeri Lasem was initiated in 2019 by Rudy Hartono and Agni Malagina. The idea for the museum emerged following the discovery of batik motif sketches created by Johanna Tjoa, an important figure in the history of Lasem Batik. The sketches were discovered in the former residence of the Tjoa family after the property changed ownership in 2018.

During its early development, the museum occupied the pavilion of Johanna Tjoa House. As the concept expanded and additional space was required, the museum was relocated in 2024 to a new building designed to function as both a museum and a batik gallery.

Located within the historic Chinatown district of Lasem and surrounded by old Chinese-style houses, Oemah Batik Lasem offers visitors a distinctive cultural experience. Visitors can explore collections of batik fabrics, historical batik motif sketches, and various cultural artifacts related to the development of Lasem Batik.

In addition to functioning as a museum and cultural space, it also offers a diverse selection of authentic Lasem hand-drawn batik available for purchase.