Nara Sarashi is a traditional high-quality linen fabric produced primarily in Nara Prefecture. It's made from hand-spun and hand-woven linen cloth known as "kibira," which is repeatedly bleached to achieve a pure white color. Historically, Nara Sarashi was a luxury item for the samurai class and townspeople during the Edo period, used for summer kimonos and tea ceremony towels. While production has declined since the Meiji era, the tradition is still preserved today, and the fabric is used for various modern items like handkerchiefs and tapestries.