科布
Pronunciation: Shinafu
Production area: Tsuruoka City, Yamagata Prefecture
Shinafu is a highly durable textile woven from the bark of the Shina (Japanese linden) tree. The Shina tree has grown naturally in the Tohoku region and along the Sea of Japan since the Jomon period. Considered one of the earliest plant-based textiles, Shinafu predates hemp and cotton in Japan. While it flourished across the Hokuriku region, most production ceased during the Meiji era with the spread of cotton textiles. Today, Shinafu is woven only in parts of Yamagata and Niigata. Its unique texture, durability, and breathability make it popular today for summer Obi and other accessories.
Japan’s Oldest Textile
Shinafu, woven from fibers of the Shina and Ohba-bodaiju (large-leaved linden) trees, is regarded as Japan’s oldest textile, sometimes called “primitive cloth” or “ancient cloth.” Before the spread of cotton and silk, fabrics were made from wild fibers such as hemp and shina. Known for their toughness, these textiles were used for daily necessities including grain bags and fishing nets.
Every step, from peeling the bark to weaving, is done by hand, taking about a year to complete. Once widespread, Shinafu is now preserved only in three villages—Sekigawa, Kaminari, and Yamakumata—on the Yamagata–Niigata border.
Photo courtesy of Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, METI
