Get simple and wonderful Aizu Momen fashion items!

Aizu Momen is a traditional cotton fabric handed down in the Mutsu District.
It is woven from cotton plain weave, and is characterized by a pattern of white stripes woven onto a dark blue background.
Although it has a strong, thick, and fluffy texture, it also has the property of being less likely to shrink than regular cotton plain weave fabrics.

Aizu Momen has been loved by local people for a long time as everyday wear and workwear, but in recent years it seems that new attempts are being made as part of fashion culture.
This time, we will take a closer look at the charm of Aizu Momen!

What is Aizu Momen?

The birth of Aizu Momen dates back to the Azuchi-Momoyama period to the early Edo period.
Ujisato Gamo, who was transferred to Aizu, recommended the cultivation of cotton as a measure to promote industry.
Afterwards, Yoshiaki Kato, who came to Aizu to replace the Gamo clan who left Aizu due to the reduction of the territory, developed weaving techniques with the help of weavers invited from the Iyo-Matsuyama domain where they had previously lived.

This is how Aizu Momen, which has been valued as everyday wear and workwear in the Aizu region, was born.

The charm of Aizu Momen

The charm of Aizu Momen lies in its variety of striped patterns.
This colorful striped pattern was created by weavers who brought weaving techniques to Aizu.
This is because the textiles of Matsuyama, Iyo Province, where Aizu Momen was created, are characterized by a striped pattern called ``Iyojima.''
It is only natural that Aizu's cotton textiles, which inherited this tradition, are characterized by striped patterns.

Additionally, indigo was actively produced in Aizu as a by-product of farming.
As a result, Aizu Momen is characterized by its beautiful indigo-dyed navy blue background and striped pattern.
Nowadays, textiles are manufactured in a variety of colors, but if you are purchasing Aizu Momen for the first time, why not try one with stripes on a navy blue background to get a feel for its history?

The charm of Aizu Momen also comes from its manufacturing process.
The warp threads are firmly glued using a wheat starch solution, and the weft threads are woven into this, so the small knots created during the glueing process create a subtle layer of air between the warp threads and the weft threads. .
This layer of air absorbs sweat and provides heat retention.
This is how the best benefits of being cool in the summer and warm in the winter are born.

Current status of Aizu Momen

Aizu Momen is currently in very decline.
In the late Showa period, as demand rapidly decreased, many textile manufacturers went out of business one after another.
Currently, only two companies remain: Yamada Momen Orimoto and Harayama Textile Factory.
If things continue like this, we are in danger of losing our traditional culture.

However, in recent years, a brand using Aizu Momen has been born.
That is iie.Lab located in Aizuzakashita-cho.

IIE Lab was born by taking over a loom from a weaving company that went out of business and reusing a building that was originally a kindergarten.
We are putting effort into reproducing the ``Aizu Aoki Momen'' that has been handed down in the local Aizu Sakashita town.

At the shop directly managed by the factory, we sell a wide variety of Aizu Motto cotton products, such as stoles, throws, placemats, coasters, and more that add a little extra color to your everyday life.
There is also a gacha-gacha of ``walnut buttons'' made from Aizu cotton, making them perfect as souvenirs.

I actually bought a stole, and it was even more fashionable than I imagined!

The durable and long-lasting advantages of Aizu Momen and the suppleness of the stole are a perfect match, and the more you use it, the softer and more flavorful the texture will become.
The navy blue pattern, which is a characteristic of Aizu Momen, matches not only casual fashion but also business suits, so it is also recommended for men.

Where can I buy Aizu Momen?

Aizu Momen can be purchased at various tourist shops in Aizuwakamatsu City.
Stylish accessories made from Aizu cotton are lined up at roadside stations, souvenir shops, and expressway service areas, making them perfect as souvenirs for yourself.
For those who like handicrafts, we also sell scraps, so it might be fun to make small items from Aizu Momen.

INFORMATION