Okuaizu Showa Karamushi Weaving is a unique form of textile art native to Showa village in Fukushima prefecture. It is a form of textile weaving using karamushi, also known as ramie, a hemp like product that is only grown in Showa village on the main island of Japan. The Ramie Weavings were first made in the Edo period exclusively in Showa village. Unfortunately, due to the rise of more popular contemporary textiles, ramie's popularity within the region waned around the Showa period. Eventually, Okuaizu Showa Karamushi Weaving began to be more widely recognized as a traditional art and practice of the region and it thus began to spread be taught to more people.

The ramie textiles are known for their high quality and silky smooth feel, perfect for the pleasant Fukushima summer. The ramie fibres can be made into various different items, including baskets, bags, clothing and more. Old style looms are used to produce the ramie to keep an authentic feeling to the process. The weaving process itself is somewhat similar to other forms of weaving with the loom splitting the ramie in two before intertwining it together into a thicker material.  Due to how niche the practice is, the looms are no longer made anymore so anytime there is an issue with one they are repaired with a set of very limited parts. Once the weaving is done, a silky smooth material is produced and ready to be turned into something great, like a nice kimono perfect for the summers in Fukushima.

Here are some videos to learn more about the process:

A travel video showing a tourist's experience with the process