Echigo-jofu (越後上布) is a fabric of Echigo, Japan on national Important Cultural Properties listing in 1955, [1] [2] and UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list since 2009. [3] It is made from fine bast fiber from the ramie plant (Boehmeria nivea), also called hemp, although not directly related to cannabis hemp. [a] After it is woven on a jibata backstrap loom (地機), the fabric is spread on snowfields (yuki-zarashi) where ultraviolet light from the sun creates ozone and bleaches it white. [5] [6] The fabric is used to make summer kimono and other traditional garments, cushions and bed linens. [7]
Echigo-jofu (越後上布) is a fabric of Echigo, Japan on national Important Cultural Properties listing in 1955, [1] [2] and UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list since 2009. [3] It is made from fine bast fiber from the ramie plant (Boehmeria nivea), also called hemp, although not directly related to cannabis hemp. [a] After it is woven on a jibata backstrap loom (地機), the fabric is spread on snowfields (yuki-zarashi) where ultraviolet light from the sun creates ozone and bleaches it white. [5] [6] The fabric is used to make summer kimono and other traditional garments, cushions and bed linens. [7]