Nishijin brocade (called Nishijin ori in Japanese) is woven silk produced in the northwestern part of Kyoto. Kamigyo ward and Kita ward cover this area of Kyoto today, but the name used to be Nishijin. According to official rules, only the brocade…

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Omi jofu is a textile produced in the region surrounding the town of Koto in Shiga prefecture. It is made with handwoven ramie threads. This craft has chic kasuri* or ikat patterns and a refreshing texture from being woven with fine ramie threads.…

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Oitama tsumugi is a silk fabric produced in the Yonezawa, Hakutaka and Nagai regions of Oitama in southern Yamagata prefecture. The area was well-known for producing and exporting ramie, a tall plant of the nettle family that has been used to make…

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Kyo Braided Cords (called Kyo Kumihimo in Japanese) are produced around the cities of Kyoto and Uji, Kyoto prefecture. Since the Heian period (794-1192), this craft has been found on prestigious and sacred pieces such as Buddhist and Shinto altar …

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Iga Braided Cords, called Iga Kumihimo in Japanese, are made in Mie prefecture. Mainly silk threads are used, often in combination with gold and silver threads. This craft is known for rich silk threads, being dyed in a vibrant range of colors, an…

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Kyo-nui is traditional embroidery produced in Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture. This exquisite and graceful embroidery, reflecting the genteel culture of Kyoto, requires the highest level and most meticulous skills. Kyo-nui is distinguished by its pur…

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Uetsu Shinafu is a textile produced in the area of Sekikawa, Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture, and Sanpoku, Murakami City, Niigata Prefecture. The neighboring prefectures of Yamagata (Uzen) and Niigata (Echigo) are combined and referred to as Ue…

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