Shimabara-momen is a durable cotton textile distinguished by its indigo-dyed ground and simple yet elegant patterns. Each piece is woven meticulously by hand, and the individuality of the weaver is reflected in the motifs, giving the fabric a unique charm. Every stage of production—from spinning the yarn to weaving on the loom—is carried out by hand, and it is said that completing a single roll of cloth can sometimes take up to three years. The history of Shimabara-momen is long. Records show that in the northern part of present-day Shimabara City, women’s side work was almost entirely cotton weaving. Valued for its strength and quality, Shimabara-momen was presented to the Shimabara domain and widely distributed across Japan. During the Meiji and Taishō periods, it reached its peak as an export product. However, production gradually declined, and by the early Shōwa period it had completely disappeared. In 1987, with the establishment of the Ariake Town Historical and Folklore Museum, traditional handlooms preserved in local homes were collected, and efforts by the “Society for Preserving the History of Ariake” led to the revival of Shimabara-momen. In 2010, it was designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Asset of Shimabara City. Today, preservation and continuation are carried out by the Shimabara-momen Preservation Society under the name “Heisei-era Shimabara-momen.”