Kojima, known as a town of textiles, attracts fashion and handmade fans from both Japan and abroad.
A wide variety of textile products, including denim, school uniforms, and tatami edging, are actively produced.
Among them, Sanada-himo is the oldest textile product in Kojima. However, at one point, there were almost no craftsmen left, and the number of producers in Kojima continued to be very small.
To inherit this precious Sanada-himo, Sakamoto Orimono Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "Sakamoto Orimono") began production in 2011.
Currently, Sakamoto Orimono is the only company producing Sanada-himo in Kojima. We interviewed them about why they are inheriting Sanada-himo and how they plan to continue this tradition.
What is "Sanada-himo"
Sanada-himo is a traditional Japanese textile made from warp and weft threads.
It is approximately 3mm to 12mm wide and is also called "the thinnest textile in the world."
Its history is ancient, and there is a theory that it was named Sanada-himo because "it was devised by the Warring States general Sanada Yukimura", but many mysteries still surround the history of Sanada-himo.
The greatest feature of Sanada-himo is its durability, which allows it to hold heavy objects without stretching. It was widely used in everyday life, such as for cargo cords and kimono obi (sashes).
Additionally, due to its strength, it was once used for armor to connect samurai armor, as a cord for swords, and as a non-slip material. It is said that Sanada-himo was sometimes wrapped around swords instead of family crests to identify whose sword it was.
Sanada-himo in Kojima
There are no clear records regarding how Sanada-himo was transmitted to Kojima, but materials produced by the Kojima Junior Chamber indicate that Sanada-himo was first made in Tanoguchi Village in 1789.
In the mid-Edo period, Sanada-himo gained popularity as a souvenir for visitors who traveled to both Yuga Mountain in Okayama and Konpira Mountain in Kagawa. Along the road to Yuga Daigongen, there were many village heads' houses, and beautiful Sanada-himo was displayed in rows. The Yuga approach decorated with Sanada-himo must have been quite lively.
Among travelers, it became known that "Kojima's Sanada-himo is beautiful, inexpensive, and durable", and it gained national fame.
The achievement of this Sanada-himo laid the foundation for Kojima's development as a town of textiles, and a monument (a shoutokuhi) honoring Sanada Yukimura was erected at Yuga Mountain.
Although Sanada-himo had been actively produced in Kojima since the Edo period, changes in the times made it difficult to continue as a livelihood, and the number of weavers gradually decreased. As of 2025, the only company weaving it is Sakamoto Orimono.
Sanada-himo has also been recognized as a cultural asset of Japan Heritage in Kurashiki City, and Sakamoto Orimono continues to preserve the traditional culture of Sanada-himo.
About Sakamoto Orimono Co., Ltd.
Sakamoto Orimono is a textile company located in Karakoto, Kojima.
They manufacture and plan products centered around Sanada-himo and narrow textiles.
Originally, Sakamoto Orimono did not produce Sanada-himo; they made narrow textiles such as cords for handicrafts and seat belts. However, under the direction of Sakamoto Sanae, production of Sanada-himo began in 2011.
Now, they manufacture various items that convey the charm of Sanada-himo as their representative textile.
Sakamoto said, "The opportunity to weave Sanada-himo came about due to a series of fortunate timings."
As the domestic textile industry declined, Sakamoto thought, "I want to create something that can only be made in Kojima." Later, she encountered Sanada-himo, was moved by its charm, and wanted to weave it.
During this time, it was discovered that her mentor, Ishihara Koichi, was the only Sanada-himo craftsman in the area. She then inherited the craft of Sanada-himo from Ishihara.
"Ishihara wanted to preserve Sanada-himo but had no successor. I wanted to weave Sanada-himo. Such a miraculous connection allowed me to inherit one of the few precious power looms," Sakamoto recalls.
They received ten power looms essential for weaving Sanada-himo and have made modifications and improvements for Sanada-himo use.
The delicate patterns and colors expressed in the fine textiles, along with the imperfect fluctuations that arise from the traditional power looms, create a unique beauty.
We spoke with Executive Director Sakamoto Sanae about the background and feelings that led to weaving traditional Sanada-himo.
Data of Sakamoto Orimono Co., Ltd.
| Organization Name | Sakamoto Orimono Co., Ltd. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Manufacturing and sales of Sanada-himo and narrow textile products |
| Representative Name | Sakamoto Koji |
| Year Established | 1970 |
| Address | 3-8-37 Kojima, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-477-6340 |
| Website | Sakamoto Orimono Co., Ltd. |
