Production Area
Yonago City / Sakaiminato City, Tottori Prefecture
Historical Details and Geographic Characteristics
In the western part of Tottori Prefecture (formally the Hoki Province), hakushu cotton cultivation thrived at Yumigahama Beach, thanks to the well-draining sandy soil and at the behest of feudal estates. In addition to acting as a base for yumihama-gasuri, the high-quality hakushu cotton was shipped country-wide via cargo ships and was highly reputed.
Although the most prosperous period for hakushu cotton was after the Meiji Restoration, low-cost cotton was increasingly imported from abroad due to the annulment of tariffs. This resulted in the decline of hakushu cotton production and its almost complete discontinuance at the beginning of the Showa era.
Since then, although hakushu cotton harvesting still inched along, Sakaiminato City started revival efforts and new product development in 2008. In addition, the Sakaiminato Agricultural Public Corporation utilizes unused crop fields and refrains from agricultural chemical and artificial fertilizer use, making their cotton products safe for both people and the environment.
