Attushi-ori is a traditional Ainu textile woven from the inner bark fibers of the ohyo tree (a species of elm) found widely across Hokkaido. It has been handed down for over a century by the Ainu people living in the Saru River region. Among these, the textiles produced in the Nibutani district of Biratori Town using traditional techniques are known as “Nibutani Attushi.” The fibers are soft yet strong, giving the textile a rustic texture. Attushi-ori was once the everyday clothing of the Ainu people..Its history is ancient, with weaving tools used by the Ainu believed to date back before the Yayoi period. As a natural fiber, Attushi is water-resistant and breathable. Even today, it is produced with tools almost identical to those used a hundred years ago, with one of its distinctive features being the twisting of the threads. The fabric is usually woven without dyeing, and Ainu patterns are applied with appliqué or embroidery. In 2013, Nibutani Attushi, produced in Biratori Town, Saru District, became the first craft in Hokkaido to be designated as a Traditional Craft by the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry.

The Achievements of Yukiko Kaizawa, Leading Artisan of Attushi-ori
Born in 1941 in Hidaka Village, Hokkaido, Ms. Yukiko Kaizawa has long contributed to the promotion and development of traditional Ainu crafts. Her works, exhibited in the Hokkaido Ainu Traditional Craft Exhibition and other venues, have received numerous awards. In February 2011, she was recognized as an “Excellent Craftswoman” by the Hokkaido Ainu Association. Through her dedication to craftmaking, she has played a vital role in preserving and passing down Ainu culture while fostering the next generation of successors.