Weave　(p. 75 )

1. Produced in Musashi Murayama City, Tokyo.

2. Characteristics: "Tsumugi"(pongee) woven with threads dyed by the wood pattern method and printed, resembling "Oshima Tsumugi" in Kagoshima Prefecture, having many different designs. It is moderately priced, yet, designated as Tokyoﾕs "Intangible Cultural Property."

3. Uses: Clothing.

4. History: Cotton and indigo plantations and sericulture were popular in this district. Both "Tsumugi"(silk) and cotton cloths were woven in old days and "Murayama Kon Gasuri" was produced in late Edo to early Taisho Period. It was cotton fabric with splash patterns dyed in indigo. Specialists were invited from Isesaki(Gunma Prefecture) in 1919 when the need for silk fabrics increased and the "Oshima Meisen" was produced."Murayama Oshima Kasuri" was widely marketed after delicate splash patterns were successfully produced by introducing the dyeing technique using wood patterns. Thus, this area became famous as producing more silk fabrics than cotton fabrics and the name was changed to "Murayama Oshima Tsumugi."