Lightweight Nagahama Hon-Ichikoshi Chirimen
Genuine silk, still woven today.
Nagahama first-class silk crepe, white fabric. From 10cm, as much as you need.
I don't want this silk to die out.
Nagahama, Shiga, was once known as Japan's top chirimen silk crepe production area. With the declining demand for traditional Japanese clothing, the production area has shrunk to an unprecedented degree.
Nevertheless, artisans continue to weave the finest white silk fabrics in Japan.
Even under such challenging circumstances, the quality of the products is truly exceptional. We want as many people as possible to experience this authentic silk.
With that in mind, we developed a completely new hitokoshi chirimen.
Hama Chirimen Today
From 1.85 million tan to 8,000 tan today.
The art of making Nagahama chirimen boasts a history of approximately 250 years.
It is characterized by high-quality raw silk, tightly twisted threads, and a plump texture.
Nagahama was once a top-tier white fabric production area, where a single weaving mill would handle everything from sourcing and twisting the yarn to weaving and finishing the fabric.
As demand for traditional Japanese clothing declined, production continued to decrease. Now, even with all types combined, annual production is only about 8,000 bolts.
If we look specifically at Ichikoshi chirimen, production numbers plummeted from approximately 600,000 bolts in 1972 to a projected 127 bolts in 2025.
Even so, seven artisans continue to uphold and preserve this top-quality white fabric.
Only white fabrics refined through the cooperative are called "Hama Chirimen."
New Ichikoshi Chirimen
Let's get our hands on some genuine hitokoshi.
In the world of Tsumami Zaiku, "Hitokoshi Chirimen" is a well-known and trusted fabric name.
However, much of the Hitokoshi Chirimen currently available is made from chemical fibers such as rayon or polyester.
What we offer is "Hon Hitokoshi" made from pure silk. It has an elegant luster and feel that only real silk can provide.
And—because it's silk, you can dye it yourself.
A brand new Hitokoshi, the first in 116 years.
Ichikoshi chirimen originated in Nagahama in 1910.
We couldn't let authentic ichikoshi chirimen disappear.
With that in mind, 116 years after its birth, we created a new ichikoshi chirimen, woven as thinly as possible, specifically for tsumami zaiku.
A typical bolt of ichikoshi weighs approximately 750 grams.
By using finer threads and innovative weaving techniques, we reduced the weight to about 520 grams.
Even at this thinness, the fabric remains stable, a testament to Nagahama's reliable weaving technology.
It's easy to fold and light even when layered.
Each small petal settles beautifully. It's a new form of silk for artisans.
In 2025, only 127 bolts of ichikoshi chirimen were woven in Nagahama.
It is a rare silk, with very little produced even in its place of origin.
New forms for silk fabrics.
Ohari Bako began as a silk thread wholesaler in Nishijin, Kyoto.
Since our founding, we have always worked with silk.
And it is precisely because of our deep connection with silk that we propose this hitokoshi chirimen as a new form of silk fabric.
Not just for kimono, but for everyone who loves handicrafts.
Authentic silk, in just the right amount.
Lightweight Nagahama Hon-Ichikoshi Chirimen (Pure Silk, White Fabric)
100% pure silk (Hon-hitokoshi crepe)
Shiga / Nagahama (Hama Chirimen)
Approx. 38 cm
Approx. 13m (one tan)
One roll: approx. 520g (basis weight approx. 105g/㎡, 24 momme)
27th 9,900 bottles
27th count, 6 threads / 3,300 twists (authentic crepe)
White (undyed; can be dyed to your preferred color)
Different in thinness and grain.
Even with the same "chirimen" (crepe), the thickness and texture of the crepe grain (shibo) vary significantly depending on how the weft threads are woven (number of warps crossed).
Oharibako's Ichikoshi is a "light Ichikoshi" woven as thin as possible specifically for tsumami zaiku (folded fabric flowers).
Compared to standard Ichikoshi chirimen (approx. 750-760g), the fabric weight is about 30% lighter (approx. 520g), making it thinner and easier to fold.
The crepe grain is the finest, and it remains light even when folded multiple times.
Each small petal will be beautifully defined.
*Image shows Kodai Chirimen, Ichikoshi Chirimen, and Light Ichikoshi Chirimen from left to right.
| おはりばこの一越 軽目 本一越 |
従来の一越ちりめん | 三越ちりめん | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 越数 | 一越（軽目） | 一越 | 三越 |
| 重さ | 520g | 750g | 780g |
| 厚み | 極薄 | 薄手 | 厚みがある |
| シボ | 最も細かい | 細かい | はっきりした凹凸 |
| つまみ細工での扱い | 折りやすく軽やか／小花が美しく映える | 折りやすい | ボリューム・存在感向き |
About 30% lighter
Lighter than traditional Ichigoshi chirimen, and thus, thinner.
From 10cm to 1 tan
In increments of 10cm, starting from 30cm, only as much as you need.
Quantity 1 = 10cm.
If you want 30cm, please select "Quantity 3".
Your order will be cut into one continuous piece.
・Selling unit: 10cm increments (specify length by quantity)
・Minimum purchase: From 3 pieces (30cm)
Until June 24th
15% off coupon code
To celebrate the launch, we're distributing a 15% off coupon code on our official LINE account! Please scan the QR code or register via this link. You will receive the coupon code immediately after registration.
切り売りは30cm（数量3）から承ります。
Pickup available at 京都本店での受け取り
Usually ready in 24 hours
Shirayuki Chirimen - Nagahama Pure Silk White Hitokoshi Crepe, Cut to Order (Light Weight, from 30 cm)
京都本店での受け取り
603-8215
京都府 京都市 北区紫野下門前町25
Japan
Shirayuki (white snow) chirimen — Hon-hitokoshi pure silk white fabric from Nagahama, Shiga. Woven light for tsumami-zaiku (tsumami zaiku craft), and original to Oharibako.
Genuine silk, still woven today. This is one full roll (tan) of pure silk hitokoshi chirimen (crepe) white fabric from Nagahama, Shiga.
Is that hitokoshi really silk?
In the world of tsumami-zaiku, "hitokoshi chirimen" is a well-known and trusted fabric name. But most of the hitokoshi chirimen on the market today is made of synthetic fibers such as rayon or polyester.
What we offer is hon-hitokoshi in pure silk. Because it is genuine silk, it has an elegant sheen and feel. Silk takes color clearly and shrinks less than synthetic fibers. And because it is white fabric, you can dye it yourself in exactly the color you like.
To keep Nagahama's silk from disappearing
Nagahama, Shiga was once Japan's number one crepe town. With a history of about 250 years, it is a production area of top-quality white fabric, where a single weaving house handles everything from buying the thread to twisting, weaving and finishing.
As demand for kimono has dwindled, the area has become smaller than ever. Today, counting all types together, it produces only about 8,000 rolls a year. Even so, seven makers continue to weave the finest white fabric. Only white fabric that has gone through the union's scouring is called "Hama chirimen."
Even in such difficult circumstances, the fabric is truly wonderful. We began handling this white fabric out of the wish that as many people as possible would come to know this genuine silk.
Product Specifications
- Dimensions: one roll approx. 13 m × 38 cm wide (delivered as one roll with no seams)
- Material: 100% pure silk (hon-hitokoshi chirimen, white fabric)
- Origin: Nagahama, Shiga (Hama chirimen)
- Unit: 1 roll
- Handled by: Kyoto Oharibako
Instead of a whole roll, we also offer cut-to-length sales so you can buy only the amount you need.
Pickup available at 京都本店での受け取り
Usually ready in 24 hours
Shirayuki Chirimen — Nagahama Hon-Hitokoshi Pure Silk White Fabric, Full Roll (Light Weight)
京都本店での受け取り
603-8215
京都府 京都市 北区紫野下門前町25
Japan
Data source
The production volume and other figures stated on this page are based on the following publicly available documents:
・Production volume of Nagahama chirimen, production volume by type (including hitokoshi chirimen) / number of cooperative members
Shiga Prefecture, "Shiga Prefecture Industry (Statistical Data)"
・Production trends of the Nagahama textile producing region, and production of hitokoshi chirimen
(As of 2006: approximately 2,444 tan, with virtually one company producing hitokoshi chirimen in the region)
Kagami Shiho, Yokoyama Takeshi, Ono Naotatsu
"A Study on the Characteristics and Conditions of Existence of the Nagahama Textile Producing Region
—Through a Comparison with the Tango Textile Producing Region—"
Journal of the Japan Silk Society, Vol. 16 (2007) pp. 57–63
・Definition, scouring, and general overview of "Hama chirimen" and the latest production volume of hitokoshi chirimen
Hama Chirimen Industrial Cooperative, "Hama Chirimen Production" statistics
(Hitokoshi chirimen: 127 tan annually in 2025)