Atsushi - Atsushi

In the Ainu language, it means halibut (a plant of the elm family), and by extension, it is a thick plain weave fabric with a firm texture, made from fibers taken from the inner bark (bast) of halibut, woven on an Ainu loom (Atsushikarube). In recent years, it is often written as _Attushi . It is left undyed in its natural brown color, and the unique Ainu patterns are created by cutting and sewing. Originally, it was used by the Ainu people for everyday wear and formal wear. In Hokkaido, pieces of cloth were excavated from the remains of pit dwellings from the Satsumon culture period, and it is believed that weaving techniques were introduced from the mainland during this period, and the technique has been preserved without any development. Currently, it is produced in small quantities in the Hidaka and Iburi regions. In 1882 (Meiji 15), Nara linen merchant Ueda Shinpachi was inspired by Atsushi and made the Atsushi we see today out of thick cotton. It is extremely durable and has been dyed in plain or feudal stripes and used to make work clothes and aprons for craftsmen and fishermen.

[Kadoyama Yukihiro]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

アイヌ語でオヒョウ（ニレ科の植物）の意で、転じてオヒョウの内皮〔靭皮(じんぴ)質〕から繊維をとり、アイヌ機（アツシカルベ）で織った堅い風合いをもつ厚地の平織物。近年はアットゥ_シと表記されることが多い。染色しないで自然褐色のまま用い、アイヌ独特の模様を切り付けと縫い取りで表す。元来、アイヌ民族が平常着や晴れの衣服に用いた。北海道では擦文(さつもん)文化期の竪穴(たてあな)住居跡から布片が出土し、この時期に本土から機織技術が伝わったとされ、その技術が発展をみず温存されている。現在日高、胆振(いぶり)地方でわずかに生産されている。また1882年（明治15）奈良の麻布商上田新八が、アツシにヒントを得て厚地の木綿でつくったのが、今日一般にみられる厚司である。非常にじょうぶで、無地染め、大名縞(じま)に染め、職人、漁夫などの仕事着や前掛けに用いられてきた。

［角山幸洋］

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