Traditional craft
Oku-Aizu Showa Karamushi Ori
奥会津昭和からむし織
A cool, quick-drying ramie cloth from Showa village deep in the Aizu mountains of Fukushima, made entirely by hand, from growing the plant to weaving it.
Key facts
- Officially recognised
- 30 November 2017
- Type
- Woven textiles
- Region
- Tohoku
- Official name in Japanese
- 奥会津昭和からむし織
- Official area (in Japanese)
- 大沼郡昭和村
The village that grows Japan's ramie
Karamushi is the Japanese name for ramie. Showa village in Fukushima has passed down the skill of growing it since ancient times, and supplies the ramie used for fine jofu cloth elsewhere. Karamushi Ori is woven there from local ramie, by hand at every step.
From field to loom
Everything is done by hand: growing the plants, taking the fibre, making thread and weaving. The cloth absorbs moisture and dries quickly, so it is made into summer clothing as well as small goods and decorations.
Recognised in 2017
Ramie growing here is ancient, and the woven cloth was recognised as a traditional craft of Japan in November 2017.
Good to know
- Coasters, small bags and accessories are the realistic buys, and they dry fast in humid weather.
- Showa village is remote and snowy in winter, so check access before you go and consider visiting in summer.
Questions travellers ask
What is karamushi?
The Japanese name for ramie, a plant fibre that absorbs moisture and dries quickly.
Where is Karamushi Ori made?
In Showa village, Onuma district, in the Oku-Aizu area of Fukushima.
Where it comes from
More crafts from the same area
Local foods from the same area
Heritage stories from the same area
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.