Although hemp in botanical taxonomy refers only to cannabis, the term “hemp” is used in Japan not only to refer to cannabis but also as a generic term for fibers from the plant. There are nearly 20 major types of hemp, including flax (linen and flax), ramie, jute, kenaf, Manila hemp, sisal, etc. In the words of Kotaro Koizumi of Asakoji, a long-established hemp wholesaler in Kyoto, “All hemp, including the clay brush and rice straw, is hemp. Before various types of hemp were introduced to Japan, ramie was called karamushi and hemp was called asa.