Tango Fujifu
Tango Fujifu (丹後藤布) is a traditional Japanese textile woven from the fibers of the wisteria vine (Wisteria floribunda / Wisteria brachybotrys). It is produced primarily in the Tango region of northern Kyoto Prefecture. Fujifu is valued for its warm, slightly glossy surface, natural irregularity, and its deep historical connection to mountain village life. As with other bast-fiber textiles, production requires highly specialized hand-processing of plant fibers.
History
The use of wisteria fibers for textiles has ancient roots in the Japanese archipelago, with origins attributed to the Jōmon period. By the Nara and Heian periods, fujifu appears in imperial records as a material used for garments, cords, and ceremonial items.
In remote mountain regions such as Tango, wisteria textile production persisted well into the Edo period as a vital clothing source where silk and cotton were scarce. The craft declined sharply in the Meiji period due to industrialization and rural depopulation. 20th-century ethnographers and members of the Mingei (folk craft) movement documented surviving techniques and helped preserve them.
Materials
Tango fujifu is woven from fibers extracted from the inner bark of the wisteria vine.
The fiber preparation process is labor-intensive:
- Mature wisteria vines are harvested.
- Bark is steamed and peeled; the inner layer is separated.
- Fibers are washed, pounded, softened, and combed.
- Fine strands are hand-twisted into long continuous threads.
The resulting yarn is:
- Strong
- Slightly elastic
- Softly lustrous
Technique
Traditional fujifu weaving involves:
- Hand-twisted bast yarns
- Plain weave structures, sometimes with subtle weft variation
- Natural dyeing, including indigo, madder, and plant-derived browns
Because of the natural variation in fiber thickness, the finished textile shows:
- Fine irregular texture
- Depth of tone
- Organic surface rhythm
Fujifu is typically supple and breathable, suitable for clothing and accessories.
Cultural Significance
Fujifu embodies:
- Self-sufficient mountain craft culture
- Intimate ecological knowledge of local forests
- Transmission of skills through women’s communal labor
Its survival is considered culturally significant due to its connection to pre-silk and pre-cotton textile economies in Japan.
Modern Status
Today, Tango fujifu is produced at small scale by:
- Local artisan workshops
- Cultural preservation societies
- Textile researchers
Uses now include:
- Kimono accessories
- High-end clothing textiles
- Contemporary fiber art
Its rarity and intensive labor requirements make it a valued collector’s and museum textile.
See also
References
- 丹後藤布保存会『丹後藤布：技と歴史』京都, 2012.
- 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.
