Mino-ori
Mino-ori (美濃織) refers to the traditional textile weaving practices of the Mino region, corresponding to present-day Gifu Prefecture. Historically, Mino-ori included hemp and ramie fabrics (used for work clothing and summer garments), and later developed into a notable center for cotton weaving and patterned everyday textiles. The region is also associated with the production of meisen-style patterned cloth during the early 20th century.
History
Textile production in Mino dates back to the Edo period, when rural households wove hemp and ramie cloth for local use. As cotton cultivation expanded across Japan and trade routes developed through nearby castle towns and river valleys, Mino became a center for everyday garment fabrics.
During the late Meiji and Taishō periods, Mino workshops adopted mechanized looms and chemical dyes, enabling the region to produce brightly colored, patterned cloth at competitive scale. Some Mino textiles from this era are classified as meisen-type, known for bold, modernist motifs.
Materials
Historically:
- Hemp (麻, asa)
- Ramie (苧麻, choma)
From the late Edo period onward:
- Cotton became the dominant fiber
20th-century production also included:
- Silk and silk-blend fabrics
- Meisen-type degummed silk yarns
Technique
Mino-ori encompasses several textile forms:
- Plain-weave hemp and ramie for summer garments
- Striped and checked cotton weaves for everyday kimono and work clothing
- Kasuri (ikat) using pre-dyed warp or weft threads
- Meisen-type patterned weaving, where design is dyed onto warp threads before weaving
Textiles from the region tend to be:
- Durable
- Breathable
- Practical for daily wear
- Visually modest (except in meisen patterns, which can be bold)
Cultural Significance
Mino-ori reflects the material culture of everyday life in central Japan. It represents:
- Self-sufficient rural textile economies
- The adaptation of craft to changing materials and markets
- The intersection of folk craft and early modern textile industry
It is also part of Mino’s broader craft identity, which includes paper, ceramics, and woodworking.
Modern Status
Today, Mino-ori is produced by:
- Regional cooperatives and independent weavers
- Small textile studios specializing in natural fibers
- Workshops preserving meisen patterns for museum and collector contexts
Modern applications include:
- Kimono and haori fabric
- Bags and accessories
- Interior textiles and textile art
See also
References
- 岐阜県伝統文化保存協会『美濃織の歴史と地域織物文化』岐阜, 2013.
- 竹内美智子（M. Takeuchi）『日本の伝統織物事典』平凡社, 2014.
- 日本民藝館 編『民藝の布』日本民藝協会, 2006.
