Kijōka-bashōfu

Like linen, hemp, ramie and other long vegetable fibres, it does not stick to the skin in hot weather; as such it is suitable for the climate of Okinawa.

Bashōfu formed part of the tribute to Ming dynasty China, while 3,000 rolls were listed as due after the Satsuma invasion of Okinawa in 1609.

[2] As well as the payment of bolts of plain, striped and kasuri bashōfu as tribute to the Ryukyu Kingdom kings, the cloth was used in daily wear by commoners.

[1][4] Bashō trees are stripped and, after sterilization, softened bast fibres are extracted and spun into weavable yarn;[3] these are then woven to produce cloth that is lightweight, strong, and smooth to the touch.

[6][7] In 2000, practitioner of kijōka-bashōfu production Taira Toshiko (平良敏子) (1921–2022) was recognized as a Living National Treasure.