Yonaguni Fabrics

Situated on the extreme western boundary of Japan, records show that weaving on Yonaguni Island dates back some 500 years, and cloth was already being paid as a tax during the 1520s. During the difficult times after World War II, fishing nets were unraveled to provide yarn for this cloth, which is still woven by the women, who devote so much time producing this cloth that is very representative of the island's natural environment.

Some of the cloth is made up into formal kimono which are restrained and undemonstrative in character, represented by the itahanaori shidati and Yonaguni hanaori. The yarn dyed, plain woven traditional cloths are used for everyday kimono that have an appealing simplicity springing from the environment in which they are woven coupled with the sincerity of their makers. There are now only 45 people engaged in weaving this cloth, with 5 government recognized Master Craftsmen and 43 firms involved in the making of cloth for kimono, obi and decorative weaving.