Uetsu Shinafu, characterized by its rough texture, is a textile made from the bark of linden trees. The bark goes through a long and intricate process to be turned into thread, where it is then weaved to create various objects such as bags, nets, and filtering fabrics. Uetsu Shinafu is most notably produced in Niigata Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture, from where the craft gets its name. These types of cloths made from natural fibers, including Uetsu Shinafu, can be traced back to the Jomon and Yayoi Periods.