Local Products Special Feature | Lake Biwa Takashima Tourist Guide

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Takashima Chijimi is a traditional fabric that has been produced since the Edo period. This tradition has been passed down to the present day without interruption. Chijimi is a fabric made of warp and weft threads, with the weft threads tightly twisted to create a textured (uneven) surface. This texture gives the fabric a smooth feel that does not stick to the skin, and it is highly absorbent, quick-drying, and breathable, making it a clothing material suited to the hot and humid climate of Japan. It is used in a variety of situations, from summer underwear to sports, casual wear, nightwear, and Japanese clothing.

Takashima Canvas Bags

Canvas is a thick plain-woven fabric that was also used for ship sails. Canvas bags from Takashima City, a town famous for its textiles, are bags that fit comfortably in your hand, taking advantage of the quality and durability of the material. In addition to being particular about design and functionality, local craftsmen carefully sew them with their reliable techniques.

Takashima Fan

"Senkotsu" literally refers to the frame of a folding fan (the part other than the paper). During the Edo period, madake bamboo was planted on the banks of the Azumi River to prevent flooding. About 300 years ago, Takashima senkotsu began to be made using this bamboo. Currently, it accounts for about 90% of the fan rib production in Japan. Many of the finished products are distributed in Kyoto as "Kyoto folding fans" after a base paper is applied, but there is also progress in the manufacture of "Omi folding fans" by applying original base paper within the city.

Unpei brush

It originated in the early Edo period, during the Genna era, when the first Fujino Unpei began making calligraphy brushes in Kyoto. Unpei brushes are of the type known as "makifude" (rolled brushes), which originated in the Tang dynasty in China. The time-consuming manufacturing process involves wrapping washi paper around the waist, and Unpei brushes are the only ones in Japan who continue to carry on this technique. Due to their strong and elastic backbone, they are popular among calligraphers as fine brushes, and are truly traditional masterpieces. "Makifude" brushes are designated as a traditional craft by the Shiga Prefecture Governor.

Japanese Candles

Since its founding in 3, the company has been using wax from the rare natural material, Haze, which is said to have the most stable burning properties, and craftsmen make each candle by hand. The wax is layered multiple times around the wick to make it thicker. They produce little oily smoke and have a stable flame, making them useful in a variety of situations. In recent years, rice candles, which use wax extracted from rice bran and are kind to both the environment and people, have been gaining attention. The soothing effect of "real light" makes them a great souvenir for loved ones.