pure silk(Shouken)
Cloth woven entirely from silk threads spun from cocoons made by silkworms. It is also called “hon-ken” or “jun-ken” (pure silk). It has a unique, elegant luster and is light and soft to the touch. It is said to be comfortable to the touch because its composition is close to that of the protein in human skin. It has excellent moisture retention and breathability, and can be worn warmly in winter. As the best material for kimono, it is widely used for furisode (long-sleeved kimono), tomesode (long-sleeved kimono), coats, long underwear, and men’s kimonos. Disadvantages include its high cost and its susceptibility to stains and yellowing due to its low resistance to water, sunlight, and friction.
