Nambu Sakiori

Nambu Sakiori is a type of woven textile made by tearing old cloth into strips (裂く), setting hemp threads as the warp (vertical threads), and weaving (織る) the torn cloth as the weft (horizontal threads). It was traditionally used for items such as nightwear and sashes.

Sakiori is preserved mainly by the Society for Preserving Nanbu Sakiori in Towada, Aomori. They hold experience sessions open to everyone, in which participants can make a Sakiori by using cotton clothes they do not wear anymore for strips. What participants can make is a wide range: a table centerpiece, a coin purse, a tote, a musette, and so on. 

The Society for Preserving Nambu Sakiori offers its products on Muji online as well. By collaborating with a brand that is popular among a wide range of generations, Sakiori would be recognized more widely, and the rising attention would lead to the preservation of the craftsmanship.  

Sakiori is also made in Heita-bou in Kitakami, Iwate, as a product and a return gift of the hometown tax donation program named Furusato Choice. Sakiori products, such as coasters, pencil cases, and pouches, are available in this shop. The part of the donation goes to the manufacturers of the gifts and also to the governments of municipalities. Therefore, Sakiori made by Heita-bou brings about the upholding of the tradition.