OGIMI, Okinawa Pref. -- Until recently, visitors to this village would have seen elderly women -- many in their 90s or older -- patiently making banana-fiber thread while sitting on sunny verandas and weaving it into traditional fabric.
The drift toward nursing homes, however, has seen this art become increasingly rare in recent times and villagers are worried the traditional craft may die out -- along with the supposed longevity it brings to its practitioners. The fabric, "bashofu," is a trademark product of Ogimi, located about 87 km north of Okinawa's capital Naha.
"There has been a sudden rush of elderly people to nursing homes," said Mieko Taira, managing director of the local association of textile makers.