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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Miyako jofu is a textile produced on the island of Miyakojima, Okinawa prefecture. It is woven from a fabric called ramie and dyed with Ryukyu indigo, a type of indigo native to Okinawa. This textile has a fine kasuri pattern* and a smooth and lu…

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Kumejima tsumugi silk is a textile produced on the island of Kumejima, Okinawa prefecture. The history of this craft goes back all the way to the Muromachi period (1336-1573). This textile is distinct because of its elegant texture and deep color …

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Ryukyu kasuri is a textile made in Okinawa prefecture. It is made mostly from silk and dyed with both plant and synthetic dyes using a kasuri* or resist-dyeing technique. This craft features over six hundred different kinds of patterns inspired by…

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Chibana Hanaori is a textile produced in Chibana, Okinawa City, Okinawa Prefecture. The characteristic of Chibana Hanaori is the flowery patterns woven in the base textile. Textiles that have a continuous geometric pattern like Chibana Hanaori are…

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Yaeyama Minsa is a fabric produced in Taketomicho, Yaeyama Ward and Ishigaki City in Okinawa. The origin is not clear but it is assumed that the Kasuri belt seen in Afghanistan was brought to Okinawa via China. The fabric was also used for the Kak…

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Yaeyama jofu is a fabric produced in the area surrounding Yaeyama ward in Ishigaki city, Okinawa prefecture. This textile is woven with hand-spun ramie threads and used to be produced as a tax to the Ryukyu Kingdom (present day Okinawa) in ancient…

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Shuri Ori refers to woven cloth produced in the main island of Okinawa. It falls into two types, Hiorimono and Monorimono, such as Hanaui, Hanakura Ori, Doton Ori, Kasuri and Minsa. The Ryukyu Dynasty was active in trade with China and Southeast A…

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It is not clear when the production of Yomitanzan Hanaori first started. However, it is considered that the production of the textile started sometime in the 15th century. The Ryukyu Royal Kingdom was actively trading with China and the Southeast…

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Kyo Sashimono is a type of wood craft produced in Kyoto Prefecture. Sashimono is a collective name for furniture and furnishings assembled with joints, and it is said that over 500 types of products can be created using the various techniques. The…

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Kijoka No Bashofu refers to woven cloth produced in Ogimi Village, Okinawa. Bashofu is made from the fibers of the Japanese banana plant called Basho, and has been worn in kimono among commoners in Okinawa since ancient times. Kijoka No Bashofu is…

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Yonaguni Ori is a textile produced in Yonaguni-cho, Yaeyama Gun, Okinawa Prefecture. The characteristic of Yonaguni Ori is the simple beauty of the textile that is dyed and woven by hand in the distinctive climate. The textile is divided into the …

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Yomitanzan Minsa is a textile produced in the region around Yomitanson, Nakagami-gun, Okinawa prefecture.　Min means cotton and Sa means a narrow belt. This kind of narrow belt was made in various regions in Okinawa from ancient times. Basically, …

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Haebaru woven flowers are essentialy made in the city of Haebaru in the Okinawa prefecture. Only flowers harvested in the prefecture such as garcinia or an indigo plant called Ryukyu ai are used to dye the yarns. Haebaru woven flowers are unique i…

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