# <center>Kamedajima: *A Textile that went Extinct*</center>
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<center>![03CE77D7-A13A-4A76-8080-76E191ECA7D5.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUCLXs4Q1xL5rBhwUQDoDnz5ChLRVvfwD94pwj98uxpBE/03CE77D7-A13A-4A76-8080-76E191ECA7D5.jpeg)</center>
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### Born out of the severe weather conditions and harsh living that characterized the marshlands and rice farming of a small area in Niigata Prefecture, Japan, known as Kameda, kamedajima is a fabric that became famous for two things, its unique striped patterns, and its durability.
 
### Said to become more comfortable with each washing, this fabric, which was capable of clothing farmers and craftsmen in even the harshest of conditions in Japan, could almost be considered the traditional denim of this country. The only thing is, these days, very few people know of it.
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<center>![A4474BBF-E790-4892-9B79-238D5DE275E4.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVKxtt3LXF8nLQMSVJLXBQxUdcrpghoLGea1kkwqMD4Pt/A4474BBF-E790-4892-9B79-238D5DE275E4.jpeg)</center>
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### Whereas denim, the fabric of jeans, which were originally made to stand up to the rugged conditions of the California Gold Rush, was able to make the transition from being a tough textile that quality worker’s clothes were made from into a material that produced iconic and popular clothing the world over, kamedajima fell out of popularity after World War II to the point where production of it was ceased, and the only remaining samples of it were to be found in museums, the forgotten closets, chests, and drawers of older generations, and, possibly, buried in the racks of thrift stores.
 
### That is, until quite recently. In 2002, a man named Teruo Nakabayashi single-handedly resurrected this extinct textile. Using remaining fabric samples and documents that detailed the original stripe patterns of traditional kamedajima, Mr Nakabayashi was able to, after three years of hard work, unlock the secrets of this fabric’s complex weaving patterns and bring it back into existence.
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<center>![ABFB02F8-49B0-4F77-A7D5-E958A88EE416.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmXw6VkGXjXigjMgXPkhApRVhSisPkNR4i45WjdLW3ZU2v/ABFB02F8-49B0-4F77-A7D5-E958A88EE416.jpeg)</center>
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### These days, kamedajima is a high-end fabric. Its complicated weaving patterns don’t allow for it to be produced through complete automation. Highly skilled craftsmen must still be present and involved in its manufacturing. Their presence helps to ensure not only the quality and durability of this beautiful textile, but also the integrity of it as a local and traditional material that has been produced in Kameda for over three hundred years.
 
### Apart from being used to make smaller items like handkerchiefs, Japanese furoshiki, and handheld folding fans, some designers and artisans alike are also using kamedajima to make very fashionable and comfortable clothes, as well as a variety of accessories.
 
###### (Furoshiki are like large handkerchiefs that can be tied into small handbags, or used to wrap and carry books, bento lunchboxes, and many other things.)
 
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<center>![AF5894B7-7949-41D5-8090-A2D182B93B8E.jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmZoMYu8VWw4gFDZgMVYXcJE2bFv7kNDZJD5fDLxUsDDrs/AF5894B7-7949-41D5-8090-A2D182B93B8E.jpeg)</center>
###### <center>Photo from Taniya’s Instagram page.</center>
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### To support a pair of local Niigata artists who work with kamedajima, please consider following their Taniya_Project Instagram account here:  https://www.instagram.com/taniya_project/
 
### To buy kamedajima wholesale, please consider supporting Nakaei Kigyo, a local producer of kamedajima:  https://kamedajima.com
 
<center>**Image Credits:** *Unless otherwise specified, All images are original.*</center>