About Ojiya Chijimi
Ojiya Chijimi is linen fabric produced in Ojiya City, Niigata Prefecture. Said to have been created around 1670 by Hori Jiro Masatoshi of the Akashi domain, who created 'chijimi' (crepe) by shrinking hemp cloth on the Echigo Plain. 'Yuki-zarashi' (snow bleaching) in severe winter conditions creates the distinctive crisp texture and whiteness. Inscribed on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2009 along with Echigo Jofu.
Techniques & Materials
Craft terms are shown in the original Japanese — these are proper names with no standard English equivalents.
Techniques
麻手績み手機織り雪晒し（ゆきさらし）
Materials
苧麻（からむし）
Where to see & buy
Workshop names are in Japanese; links go to their official sites.
- 小千谷産業開発センター（産地にご確認ください） hands-on experience