Tokamachi-akashi-chijimi is a summer silk crepe textile, so thin and crisp it has been compared to cicada wings, with a cool and refreshing feel against the skin. Its origin dates back to 1818–1829, when Mr. Shigejuro Miyamoto established the techniques for silk crepe, then called “Kinu Chijimi” or “Tokamachi Suzuaya.” The birth of Tokamachi-akashi-chijimi around 1887 is attributed to Mr. Eisuke Sunosaki, a wholesaler of Echigo Chijimi in Kashiwazaki, who observed Nishijin weavers studying Akashi Chijimi from Banshu. Believing that Tokamachi, with its high humidity and long-standing expertise in strong-twist yarns from Echigo Chijimi, was more suitable for weaving this textile than Nishijin, he introduced it to local weavers. The hallmark of Tokamachi-akashi-chijimi lies in its strongly twisted weft yarns. Using a Haccho Nenshiki (Haccho-style twisting machine), 27-denier silk threads are twisted about 4,000 times per meter. This method requires only the highest-quality silk with minimal impurities, as inferior yarns cannot withstand the process. Celebrated as a luxurious summer textile, Tokamachi-akashi-chijimi was designated a Traditional Craft of Japan in 1982.

See Also : Exploring Traditional Craftsmanship Vol.1 “Tokamachi-akashi-chijimi”