ittan

Ittan is a Japanese term that can refer to several things, most notably a unit of measurement and a type of fabric. As a unit of measurement, ittan traditionally denoted the length of silk or cotton cloth produced in a single bolt or roll, typically around 12 to 13 tan, or roughly 36 to 39 centimeters (14 to 15 inches) in width. The exact dimensions could vary depending on the type of fabric and the specific period or region. Historically, ittan was a standard unit for tailoring and trade of textiles in Japan.

In the context of fabric, an ittan refers to a bolt of cloth, particularly traditional Japanese textiles like silk, cotton, or linen. These bolts are often characterized by their narrow width compared to modern Western fabrics. Kimono, for example, are traditionally made from two ittan-length pieces of fabric. The term emphasizes the raw material in its finished, rollable form before being cut and sewn into garments or other items. The production and sale of fabric in ittan lengths played a significant role in the Japanese textile industry for centuries, influencing fashion, craftsmanship, and commerce.