In the mountainous village of Showa, located in Fukushima Prefecture’s Obriaizu region, a small group of artisans continue to preserve the traditional craft of Karamushi-ori, a distinctive textile made from the fibers of the karamushi plant, a variety of perennial nettle. Known for its lightweight and lustrous quality, fabric woven from karamushi has been appreciated for centuries, with records tracing its cultivation in the area back to the Edo period (1603–1867).

The craft involves a meticulous and solitary process carried out almost entirely by individual weavers, many of whom reside alone in the village. One such artisan, Eriko Yamauchi, moved to Showa from Aomori Prefecture after discovering the craft through a book. She has since dedicated herself to every stage of production, from cultivating karamushi plants to spinning and weaving the fibers. Yamauchi described the labor-intensive nature of the work, noting that it can take up to two months to produce enough thread for a single obi sash.

Karamushi fibers are harvested in summer when the plants reach about two meters in height. The stems are peeled, and the inner fibers are painstakingly extracted, dried, and then spun into thread. Artisans follow a cycle intimately tied to the seasons: field preparation occurs after the snow melts, harvesting takes place in mid-summer, spinning is done in autumn, and weaving occurs during winter months. Despite challenges such as wildlife damage from deer and wild boars, weavers like Yamauchi express a strong connection to the village and the satisfaction derived from living close to the land.

The craft faced near extinction after World War II due to changing lifestyles and labor shortages. To revive the tradition, the village established an apprentice program in 1994 that recruits participants from outside Showa. Apprentices live in the community for about a year to learn the entire production process. Since the program’s inception, 135 people have completed the training, predominantly women, with over 30 deciding to settle permanently in the village. Many have integrated fully into community life, some marrying local residents.

Another long-term resident, Kazuyo Saito, originally from Nagasaki Prefecture, arrived after seeing a television feature on the apprentice program. Now living in Showa for nearly 26 years, she balances her weaving with part-time work elsewhere, acknowledging that Karamushi-ori alone typically cannot sustain a livelihood. Saito is known for using natural, plant-based dyes that enhance the vibrancy of her threads. Like others, she embraces a mindful approach to the craft, reflecting the local adage encouraging careful, natural work with a quiet mind to achieve harmonious and beautiful fabric textures.

While Karamushi-ori textiles are traditionally used for summer kimono and obi sashes, artisans also create a variety of everyday items, incorporating regional stitching techniques and personal design choices. Despite its demands and slow pace, the craft continues to attract dedicated practitioners who value the cultural heritage and unique lifestyle offered by this remote village nestled among Fukushima’s mountains.