Echigo-jofu Textiles

 

Echigo-jofu is a Traditional Fabric that uses Yuki-sarashi Techique that is produced with deep-snow, high-humidity winters, to make it sensitive to dryness. It uses Fine Bast Fiber from Ramie Hemp Plant (Boehmeria nivea) that is traditionally moisturized with saliva, torn with fingernails (Teomimi), and hand-knitted into “Kasuri-thread” a fabric that is woven into blurred designs with a Izari-loom (Backstrap Rag Weaver, Jp. 地機). 


Echigo Jofu is a linen-fabric of Echigo and listed as a National Important Property (1955) and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (2009). Minamiuonuma City and Ojiya City Echigo-jofu is where to find it and in ancient times Echigo-jofu was made in Uonuma Echigo-jofu, Kubiki Echigo-jofu, and Koshi Echigo-jofu. It is a preserved treasure of Todai-ji Temple (Nara Prefecture). 

History, Tenpyo Shoho Era (749-757 AD), Echigo Province, Echigo-jofu was presented to the Imperial Court Hisabiki District and would be housed in Shosoin. It was known as the “Echigo in the East, Miyako in the West”. Later in the Kamakura period (1192, Kenkyu 3), a Japanese Shogun History Book (The Azuma Kagami) “Echigo Cloth” was given to Tokugawa Ieyasu (Shogun) as the Uesugi Clan encouraged the industry to grow. Echigo Cloth would be sent even in the Muromachi Period to: Shogun Yoshihisa Ashikaga from Echigo Governor Fusasada Uesugi, The Imperial Court (1586, Tensho 14) from Uesugi Kenshin, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi from Uesugi Kagekatsu.

Motoji https://www.motoji.co.jp/blogs/artists-origins/echigojofu

Masao Furuto (83) of the Shiozawa Textile Industrial Cooperative, who carried out the work, said with a smile, ``My job is to keep the fabric in the best condition.'' Mr. Furuto has been in charge of almost all the finishing work for ``Echigo Jofu,'' but since he has no successor, he has been passing on his techniques to a local textile company this year.

https://yukigunijapan.com/the-snow-country-and-its-fabrics/


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