Kuzu-fu (Japanese: èÂÂå¸Â) is a traditional Japanese textile made from the bast fibers of the kuzu plant (èÂÂ, Pueraria lobata, commonly known as kudzu).
It is considered one of JapanâÂÂs shizenfu (èªç¶å¸Â), or natural-fiber textiles, alongside Bashà Âfu (banana fiber cloth) and Shinafu (linden fiber cloth). Kuzu-fu is prized for its earthy texture, resilience, and deep connection to JapanâÂÂs pre-modern handcrafting traditions.
The use of kuzu in textiles dates back over 1,000 years, with references in ancient Japanese texts and court records. Historically, kuzu-fu was produced in regions such as Shizuoka, Nagano, and Gifu prefectures. While it was originally worn by common people for daily garments and work-wear, over time it came to be appreciated for its unique texture and artisanal value.
During the Edo period, kuzu-fu remained in use in rural areas. However, the Meiji era's industrialization led to its near disappearance. Today, only a few craftspeople, such as the weavers of à Âigawa Kuzu-fu in Shizuoka Prefecture, continue to preserve the tradition.
L The production of kuzu-fu is labor-intensive and involves several manual processes:
Production may take several months and yields only small amounts of cloth.
Kuzu-fu was traditionally used for clothing, and became popular as a wall covering in the 19th century. In modern times, it is valued for high-end kimono and obi, and mounting scrolls. Kuzu-fu is used to line the walls of Mingei-kan, the folk art museum founded by Yanagi Soetsu.
Due to the complexity of its production and its reliance on wild kudzu, kuzu-fu is now a rare and endangered textile. Artisans like Murai Tatsuhiko of à Âigawa Kuzufu <nowiki></nowiki> continue the craft and actively participate in exhibitions and educational programs to ensure its survival.