Miyako jofu
宮古上布CraftSaid to have been perfected in the 16th century; national traditional craft from 17 February 1975 and Important Intangible Cultural Property from 1978
Miyako jofu is a fine ramie cloth from Miyako Island, ranked with Echigo jofu in the saying 'Echigo in the east, Miyako in the west', and a single bolt takes more than two months to weave. Only about 20 bolts a year are made, and the Miyako Textile Cooperative in Ueno sells the cloth and explains the craft.
Jofu means a fine cloth of hemp-type fibre, and Miyako's is woven from ramie, which belongs to the nettle family and gives a long, strong fibre from its stem. Tradition credits Inaishi, a woman of the 16th century, with perfecting it. In 1583 her husband saved a Ryukyu tribute ship bound for Ming China by diving into a storm to replace its rudder rope, and the king raised him in rank. Inaishi offered the king a finely woven ramie cloth in thanks.
After Satsuma took control of Ryukyu, a poll tax fell on the Sakishima islands from 1637. On Miyako, every woman between 15 and 50 who stood taller than the 143 cm poll-tax stone owed cloth, and the best weavers in each village worked under officials' eyes. The tax ended in 1903. Production then boomed, and from the Taisho era to about 1937 Miyako wove more than 10,000 bolts a year.
War stopped the looms, and weaving resumed in 1948. Output fell from a postwar peak of 2,064 bolts in 1952 to 10 bolts in 2002, then recovered to about 20 by 2006. The cooperative counted 92 members in 2009. Every step from growing the ramie to spinning, binding the kasuri, dyeing and beating the finished cloth still happens on Miyako. In 2003 the hand-spinning of ramie thread was named a selected conservation technique.
Visiting with care
Only about 20 bolts a year are made, by hand on Miyako from ramie grown on the island, so the cooperative's weavers and spinners are working on pieces that take months.
- The Miyako Textile Cooperative in Nobaru, Ueno, sells Miyako jofu and introduces the craft; call 0980-74-7480 before you go
- From 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027 the cooperative closes at 16:30
- Ask before photographing a weaver or spinner
- Keep hands off thread and cloth in progress; the ramie thread is as fine as spider silk
- Expect a bolt to cost what months of skilled work cost
Worth knowing
- Call the cooperative before visiting, especially in winter when it closes earlier.
- Miyako jofu is a luxury cloth; small goods are the realistic way to take some home.
Go and see
Where to see Miyako jofu場所
FAQ
Quick answers about Miyako jofuよくある質問
What is Miyako jofu?
Miyako jofu is a fine ramie cloth hand-woven on Miyako Island. Japan designated it a traditional craft in 1975 and an Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1978, and one bolt takes more than two months to weave.
Where can you buy Miyako jofu?
The Miyako Textile Cooperative in Nobaru, Ueno, on Miyako Island sells Miyako jofu and products made from it. Only about 20 bolts a year are produced, according to the cooperative.
Can you visit Miyako jofu?
Open to visitors. The Miyako Textile Cooperative in Nobaru, Ueno, sells Miyako jofu and introduces the craft; call 0980-74-7480 before you go. From 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027 the cooperative closes at 16:30.
How should you behave at Miyako jofu?
At Miyako jofu: Ask before photographing a weaver or spinner. Keep hands off thread and cloth in progress; the ramie thread is as fine as spider silk. Expect a bolt to cost what months of skilled work cost.