kijōka-bashōfu
{{short description|Regional Japanese production method of producing cloth from the Japanese fibre banana plant}}
{{Italic title}}
Image:Musa basjooSochi1.JPG}} or Japanese fibre banana, used in the making of {{transliteration|ja|kijōka-bashōfu}}]]
{{nihongo||喜如嘉の芭蕉布|Kijōka-bashōfu}} is the Japanese craft of making cloth from the {{transliteration|ja|bashō}} 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. {{transliteration|ja|Kijōka-bashōfu}} is recognized as one of the Important Intangible Cultural Properties of Japan.
History
{{transliteration|ja|Bashōfu}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.kimono.or.jp/dic/eng/11Dye-Okinawa.html |title=Kimono - Okinawa |publisher=Cultural Foundation for Promoting the National Costume of Japan |access-date=15 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221063606/http://www.kimono.or.jp/dic/eng/11Dye-Okinawa.html |archive-date=21 February 2016 |url-status=dead}} As well as the payment of bolts of plain, striped and {{transliteration|ja|kasuri bashōfu}} as tribute to the Ryukyu Kingdom kings, the cloth was used in daily wear by commoners.{{cite web |url=http://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/dictio/data/senshoku/ryui.htm |title=Ryukyu and Ainu Textiles |publisher=Kyoto National Museum |access-date=15 March 2011 |archive-date=14 October 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181014200524/http://www.kyohaku.go.jp/eng/dictio/data/senshoku/ryui.htm |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/summit/some/some_3_a/index2.htm |title=Kimono - Okinawa |publisher=Okinawa Prefecture |access-date=15 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927103259/http://www.pref.okinawa.jp/summit/some/some_3_a/index2.htm |archive-date=27 September 2011 }} Production increased in the Meiji period with the introduction of the {{nihongo||高機|takahata}} loom. After the Battle of Okinawa, production declined dramatically. Formerly made across the Ryūkyū islands, {{transliteration|ja|bashōfu}} production is now localized to Kijōka.Bartok, Mandy, "[http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/fv20120603a1.html Weaves its spell in Kijoka Bashōfu culture]", Japan Times, 3 June 2012, p. 10
Modern production
{{transliteration|ja|Bashō}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/arrange/attractions/shopping/crafts/basho.html |title=Kijoka-no Bashofu (plantain tree fabric) |publisher=Japan National Tourism Organization |access-date=15 March 2011}} Approximately forty trees are required to make a standard roll of fabric. The colour of the {{transliteration|ja|bashō}} fibre forms the background; patterns are woven in indigo and brown. Designs include stripes, checks, and a number of types of {{transliteration|ja|kasuri}}.
Cultural heritage
{{transliteration|ja|Kijōka-bashōfu}} was registered as an {{nihongo|Important Intangible Cultural Property|重要無形文化財}} in 1974, and the {{nihongo|{{transliteration|ja|Kijōka-bashōfu}} Preservation Society|喜如嘉の芭蕉布保存会}} was founded to help preserve the tradition.{{cite web |url=https://kunishitei.bunka.go.jp/heritage/detail/303/117 |title=Database of Registered National Cultural Assets |publisher=Agency for Cultural Affairs |access-date=15 March 2011}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vill.ogimi.okinawa.jp/miryoku/bashohu1.html |title=Village of Bashōfu |publisher=Ogimi Village |access-date=15 March 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100719105505/http://www.vill.ogimi.okinawa.jp/miryoku/bashohu1.html |archive-date=19 July 2010 }} In 2000, practitioner of {{transliteration|ja|kijōka-bashōfu}} production {{nihongo|Taira Toshiko|平良敏子}} (1921–2022) was recognized as a Living National Treasure.{{cite web |url=http://kotobank.jp/word/平良敏子 |title=講談社 日本人名大辞典 - 中島秀吉 |publisher=Kodansha |access-date=15 March 2011}}
See also
- 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
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
{{cite book |title=The Origins of Banana-fibre Cloth in the Ryukyus, Japan |author=Hendrickx, Katrien |publisher=Leuven University Press |year=2007}}
{{Textile}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kijoka-bashofu}}
Category:Textile-related meibutsu
Category:Japanese words and phrases