Weave　(p. 127 )

1. Produced in Saga City, Saga Prefecture.

2. Characteristics: Gorgeous twilled or plain woven fabrics with finely sliced gold or silver foiled papers or lacquered hand made papers used as warp and multi-colored silk threads or gold or silver papers used as weft.

3. Uses: Sashes, "Obijime"(undersashes), handbags, "Zori"(Japanese sandals), purses.

4. History: It is said that a woman first wove a wicker design fabric hinted by designs used in paperwork in Kyoto, her birthplace. The design developed as handicraft among the women attendants in the warrior household. It is also said that the wife of the 9th feudal lord of Nabeshima wove the wicker design suggested by the wicker design on the ceiling of a room she saw while she was in a sickbed. Handmade papers only or both handmade papers and cotton threads were first used as warp and weft. They were also called "Kumi Nishiki" or "Kashima Nishiki." The weaving technique preserved in the feudal government was discontinued and united under a central government reigned by Emperor Meiji. However, it was revived by Mrs. Shigenobu Okuma, statesman and prime minister, born in Saga Prefecture.