The history of Nishijin Weaving,
Japan’s traditional textile goes way back to the Kofun Period (250-538) around the 5th to 6th Centuries.
It is said that Nishijin Weaving originates from the Hata Clan, an old family in Japan, who spread the knowledge and practice of sericulture and silk weaving.
Following the Asuka Era (538-710) and the Nara Era (710-784),
the Imperial Court was moved to the Heian-Kyo, where state-owned textile operations produced thousands of textiles for court nobles.
Along with transitions of different eras,
Nishijin Weaving lead to creating superior hand-weaving techniques in the district of Nishijin (Kyoto) and continued to progress as Japan’s most luxurious brocade.

This is a weaving technique using gold foil threads,
silver foil threads, gold threads and silver threads in combination with colored threads to make the patterns look raised.
During the Kamakura Period (1185-1333),
Nishijin Gold Weaving was used for clerical robes for Zen priests and then during the Muromachi Period (1336-1573),
they were used for costumes for the Noh Dance created by Japanese playwright Zeami.