This fabric is woven from a blend of cotton and linen yarns, finished with a distinctive three-dimensional texture.
High-twist yarns are used in the weft.
Utilising the characteristics of cotton and linen gives this cover excellent durability, high moisture absorption, and breathability. It feels light and cool against the skin.
The fabric is both light and cool, and it does not cling to the skin.
Enshu Orimono traces its origins to the Edo period, developed in the Enshu region of Shizuoka Prefecture.
As this area was historically one of Japan's three great cotton textile regions, it was home to many skilled artisans. However, production volume declined in the 1980s as manufacturing shifted overseas. Despite this, artisans dedicated to improving the quality of this precious textile remain today, passionately safeguarding the tradition.
Depending on the pattern, only about 50 metres of the fabric used in this cover can be produced per day. The weaving speed is intentionally limited to roughly half the standard pace to prevent the fabric from stretching excessively during the process. This is what allows the fabric to retain its appealing, soft texture.
By utilising yarn-dyed threads of varying thicknesses, the weave achieves a rich, three-dimensional depth. The resulting interplay of light and shadow creates a unique beauty. While the intricate patterns appear to be woven by magic, they are actually the fruit of precise calculation.
Today, these textiles are found not only in the traditional Japanese clothing industry, but also frequently feature in the collections of international fashion brands.
MORI SEIMENJO
https://moriseimenjo.com/
The Comfort of Cotton, Loved Across Generations
For years, futons made of highly absorbent cotton have been a favorite bedding in Japan’s humid climate. Not only are they excellent at retaining heat, keeping you warm in winter and remaining breathable in summer, they can be refabricated and maintained for long-term use. Mori Seimenjo, established in 1917, takes meticulous care in ensuring the quality of thei cotton, processing imported raw cotton at their factory to craft products such as futons and zabuton. Their strength lies in their craftsmanship of handmade items, which can be tailored to custom orders, and renowned inns, traditional restaurants, temples, and entertainment venues across Japan are among their regular customers.
Today, most cotton has been modified to produce thin, long fibers suitable for clothing. However, to make thick and resilient futons, cotton with short, thick, and elastic fibers is best. Mori Seimenjo primarily imports high-quality raw cotton with just these characteristics, known as Desi cotton, from India.
In the factory, the process of cotton spinning begins by putting raw cotton into a cotton milling machine that loosens the cotton while removing impurities such as leaves and seed fragments. The next step is carding, where the fibers are aligned and formed into sheets. The cotton sent to the carding machine is processed by needled and bladed rollers, then layered multiple times to create fluffy cotton sheets called tamawata. Since the carding machine model used by Mori Seimenjo is no longer in production, they have carefully maintained the same machine for over 40 years, continuing to deliver high-quality tamawata to retailers nationwide.
Handmade futons and zabuton crafted by artisans are also popular with individual customers. For zabuton, sheets of cotton are layered and inserted into a bag-shaped fabric, with additional cotton placed in the four corners to create sharp edges. The fabric opening is then sewn shut, the center stitched in a cross pattern, and tassels attached to the corners to complete the product. The uniformly filled, fluffy finish is the result of years of experience.
Made solely from plant-based materials, recent years have seen increased demand from vegan customers, particularly in Europe and the United States. As attention to cotton traceability and providence grows, Mori Seimenjo’s efforts to produce safe cotton products, including obtaining the GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certification, have been a significant step towards building trust both domestically and internationally.
