Bota-ori is a cotton textile woven in a variation of plain weave, characterized by its regular ridges that create a pleasantly textured surface. The fabric is highly breathable, absorbent, and soft to the touch. It has a distinct front and back: every fourth weft thread is floated on the surface, so the side with floating weft threads is considered the front. When woven with differently colored threads, the front and back produce completely different appearances, a unique feature of Bota-ori. The textile originated in 1689, when Lord Matsudaira Yorishige of the Takamatsu Domain invited a Kyoto weaver, Kita­gawa Ihee Tsuneyoshi, to create fine silk fabrics as a tribute to the shogunate. Praised for its exceptional durability, the cloth was named Bota-ori, meaning “to preserve for many years.” During the Edo period, it was produced under the domain’s protection and offered as a tribute to the shogunate, and wearing it was permitted only to high-ranking samurai. The unique techniques were closely guarded as family secrets within the Kitagawa family for six generations. After the Meiji Restoration, production shifted from silk to cotton, broadening its applications to include yukata, bedsheets, and other items. The adoption of mechanized looms later enabled mass production, ensuring the survival of this distinctive textile tradition.