Kurume Kasuri 久留米絣

"Kasuri" (meaning: scratched / faded) is the most traditional style of fabric from Japan. 

"Kurume Kasuri" (from Kurume Region) double ikat technique that dates back over 200 years is a Japanese Important Intangible Cultural Property since 1971, and has its own Technical Preservation Guild founded in 1976 with 31 registered members.

To make this magical double ikat textile, both the warp and weft threads are meticulously indigo tie-dyed to form distinctive patterns when they are woven together. The vertical and horizontal threads create patterns that are highly complex, providing visual beauty as well as excellent wearing comfort that improves as they age.

The textiles must be produced by members of the Kurume Kasuri Guild. They must be used hand - wrapped dyed threads, dyed with natural indigo and woven on a traditional hand loom.

Only the fabrics created using above techniques that passed an quality inspection are labeled and sold as important intangible cultural properties.  The quantity of Kurume Kasuri that meets these strict requirements is very limited.