Bast Fiber Ribbon

High-quality fiber is the primary target of Japanese hemp cultivation.

Once grown, harvested and dried by expert farmers, the stalks are softened, the bark peeled by hand, and scraped to reveal the thin bast fiber layer.

Processed hemp bast strips are used to make a wide range of secular and ceremonial objects. Hemp bast processed by traditional Japanese techniques glows with a rich golden luster.

Skeins of hemp bast ribbon are variously bundled by each farm family.

Toutou shrine, Gunma Prefecture.

Hemp stalks are carefully fermented for several days to free the bark before peeling it by hand from the woody core. The bark strips are gently scraped to remove the outer bark leaving behind the shining golden

bast fiber layers which are hung up to dry.

Nakamura Family Residence in Miasa (Beautiful hemp) village, Nagano Prefecture.

Hemp bast ribbon also serves ritual functions as in this ōnusa purification wand embellished with a large coil of hemp bast ribbon prominently mounted

atop a small mikoshi ritual palanquin.

Reprint of 'Fuji with a Rocket' by Katsushika Hokusai from "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji" ca. 1830-1832.

Hemp fiber was used throughout much of Eurasia as "oakum" pounded into the cracks between planks to prevent wooden boats from taking on water.