What is Notojofu？
Ramie Fabric of the Highest Quality
With a Tradition Dating Back to Ancient Times
Jofu refers to top-grade ramie fabric, and Notojofu is considered one of Japan’s five major types of jofu. Notojofu is said to have originated approximately 2,000 years ago when the Imperial Empress of Emperor Suijin taught residents of the Nakanoto region （area in the Noto Peninsula, middle part of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan) how to weave. It developed as a result of continuous improvements to its techniques during the Edo period (around 19th century) and was even selected as to be presented to the Imperial royal family of Japan in the Meiji era (around 20th century). During its peak in the early Showa era (around 1928) , there were over 120 weavers of Notojofu, making Ishikawa Prefecture the largest producer of linen fabrics in Japan. This led to the designation of Notojofu as an intangible cultural asset of Ishikawa Prefecture. However, Japanese people stopped wearing kimonos due to lifestyle changes after World War II, and Yamazaki Notojofu Workshop is now the only remaining weaver of Notojofu. Although it is common for linen to be used for the hemp, which is the base material, ramie (choma) is used to make Notojofu. Its characteristics include the distinct texture of hand-woven hemp, the elaborate, dignified appearance of tate-yoko gasuri, (the splashed pattern created by dyeing the warp and weft threads separately beforehand , based on the pattern and finely adjusting the weft threads to match the pattern; warp and weft resist-dyeing) which involves dyeing both the warp and the weft using Noto’s original hand-dyeing techniques known as kushioshi nassen (comb-press dyeing) and rolling nassen, refreshingly cool designs, the translucence and lightness that remind you of a cicada’s wings, durability, crispness, gloss, and stiffness. Since long ago, it has been worn during the summer as an everyday garment with a feeling of luxury. Notojofu is the summer kimono of the highest quality that can be enjoyed by adults when going out. It is still hand-woven by artisans using traditional methods and has an appealing modern feel, as its cool, traditional colors that represent the scenery of Noto and its unique, dignified splashed patterns blend into daily life.
Accessories and apparel
Encountering Noto’s traditional woven ramie
and an elegant everyday life
We are a kimono and accessories brand whose products can be enjoyed in the course of your everyday life as they are crafted by the only workshop specializing in Noto-jofu, a fabric used to make traditional summer kimonos of the finest quality that we have inherited from ancient times. Inspired by the theme of “encountering Noto’s traditional woven ramie (“Ramie” is a natural fibre that is similar to hemp and linen. It is a strong fibre that has been used for Kimono since ancient times) and an elegant everyday life,” our brand allows you to experience the lively interplay between Japanese aesthetics and culture, tradition, and the present through Noto-jofu, while bringing a touch of elegance to your subtly evolving everyday life through our kimonos, accessories, and apparel that are handcrafted with Noto-jofu. Accessories crafted with Noto-jofu are perfect if you enjoy using high-quality items for a long time, and they allow you to experience a vibrant and fulfilling lifestyle as time slowly ticks by. In addition to its unique texture, hand-woven Noto-jofu ramie is also comfortable, translucent, lightweight, flexible, and glossy. As we have drawn on modern and understated traditional colors and patterns that reflect Noto’s climate for our products, you can enjoy the superior quality of Noto-jofu in the form of accessories and apparel in your everyday life and appreciate its popularity as luxurious summer wear that can be worn every single day. Moving forward, we hope to create lightweight, graceful, and unpretentious products that can be seamlessly incorporated into your daily life by harnessing the precision of our handcrafting technique as we continue to share products that showcase the beauty of the elegant “kasuri” fabric crafted with our unique “tenassen” hand-printing technique. By doing this, we hope to pass on the skills of our craftsmen to the next generation along with the beautiful fabric of Noto-jofu.
Corporate philosophy
130 Years Since Establishment as a Dyer
Yamazaki Notojofu Workshop was established in 1891 (Meiji 24) as a dyer. We have a history of 130 years and are the only weaver that carries on the traditional artisanship of Notojofu. The number of Notojofu weavers has decreased every year since the end of World War II, and people even spoke of the demise of Notojofu during difficult times. However, we wish to take the words of our third-generation owner that “I believe it would be a crime not to preserve something that is so good” to heart and preserve the beautiful tradition of Notojofu by passing on the traditional techniques that we have preserved for generations, along with the culture and aesthetic sense of jofu as traditional Japanese summer wear, to the next generation as we produce Notojofu kimonos and small articles that blend into daily life. Also, given that the roots of Yamazaki Notojofu Workshop lie in dyeing, we would like to share the appeal of our unique splashed patterns by producing works that incorporate Notojofu’s distinctive splashed patterns and hand-dyeing techniques.
Shop List
NOTOJOFU KANAZAWA Shop
MAP1F.,Tamai Building, 1-1,Toiya-machi,Kanazawa City,
Ishikawa Pref., 925-0071, JAPAN[MAP]
- Opening hoursA.M.9:30 ~ P.M.3:00 (Operating hours are subject to change.)
- Closed on Sundays & No fixed holiday
- TEL +81-80-8760-5075
- AccessFrom JR Kanazawa Station
― Bus
HOKUTETSU Local-line Bus (Local Bus):
Take buses from bus terminal at West Exit.
Get off at “Toiya 1-chome”. Walk 2 min.
― Taxi
Take taxi from West Exit (11-min ride).
Shop in our Workshop (HAKUI, Directly Operated Shop)
MAPO-84 Shimosone-machi, Hakui city,
Ishikawa Pref., 925-0071, JAPAN[MAP]
- Opening hoursA.M.9:00 ~ P.M.6:00
- Closed on Sundays & New Year Holidays & Summer Holidays & Jul 7
- TEL / FAX +81-767-26-0240
- AccessFrom JR Kanazawa Station
― Train
JR Nanao line bound for Nanao (Local train):
Take trains from JR Kanazawa Station.
Get off the train at Kanemaru Station (68 min).
Walk 16 min.