is the Japanese craft of making cloth from the or Japanese fibre banana as practiced in Kijōka in Ogimi, Okinawa. Like linen, hemp, ramie and other long vegetable fibres, it does not stick to the skin in hot weather; as such it is suitable for the climate of Okinawa. is recognized as one of the Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Japan.
History formed part of the tribute to Ming dynasty China, while 3,000 rolls were listed as due after the Satsuma invasion of Okinawa in 1609. As well as the payment of bolts of plain, striped and as tribute to the Ryukyu Kingdom kings, the cloth was used in daily wear by commoners. Production increased in the Meiji period with the introduction of the loom. After the Battle of Okinawa, production declined dramatically. Formerly made across the Ryūkyū islands, production is now localized to Kijōka.Bartok, Mandy, "Weaves its spell in Kijoka Bashōfu culture", Japan Times, 3 June 2012, p. 10
Modern production trees are stripped and, after sterilization, softened bast fibres are extracted and spun into weavable yarn; these are then woven to produce cloth that is lightweight, strong, and smooth to the touch. Approximately forty trees are required to make a standard roll of fabric. The colour of the fibre forms the background; patterns are woven in indigo and brown. Designs include stripes, checks, and a number of types of .
Cultural heritage was registered as an in 1974, and the was founded to help preserve the tradition. In 2000, practitioner of production (1921–2022) was recognized as a Living National Treasure.
See also Basho paper, Ryukyuan bashō paper Abacá, similar traditional fiber from the Philippines Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Japan National Treasures of Japan - Dyeing and weaving Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity List of Traditional Crafts of Japan
References
Further reading