Hakata-ori fabric masks (Photo courtesy of Sanui Orimono Co.)

People line up to receive free Hakata-ori fabric masks from Sanui Orimono Co. President Katsuhiko Sanui, left, at the company's Hakata Ori Crafts Museum in Nishi Ward, Fukuoka, on March 21, 2020. (Mainichi/Sayo Kato)

FUKUOKA -- A silk fabric maker in this southwestern Japan city gave out free masks made from local Hakata-ori weaved material on March 21 as regular medical mask shortages continue to plague the country amid the spread of the novel coronavirus.

A long line had formed outside Sanui Orimono Co.'s Hakata Ori Crafts Museum in Fukuoka's Nishi Ward before the giveaway, and all the 180 masks available were gone in about 10 minutes. However, the company will continue production, and plans to distribute a total of about 3,000 of the Hakata-ori silk masks across in the city, including from different shops.

Hakata-ori is a weaving style which originated in the Fukuoka area almost 800 years ago.

Sanui Orimono President Katsuhiko Sanui told the Mainichi Shimbun that he was pained to see people selling regular masks at high markups amid the shortage. "(Masks) aren't just a coronavirus countermeasure. People with hay fever need them too, and they're having trouble. Maybe I can do something," Sanui recalled thinking. The result of his inspiration is washable masks in several colors and traditional patterns.

Group tour reservations at the Hakata Ori Crafts Museum were all canceled, while retailers have also cut back on orders for the company's wares, all due to the virus.

"To be honest, we're in a tight spot economically," said Sanui. "But the Hakata-ori industry has been supported by many people. I'd like to repay the favor, and also help out people having a hard time."

One 46-year-old local woman who received one of the masks told the Mainichi, "They're really difficult to get, so I'm very grateful. I'm also happy that it's a mask made from traditional Hakata-ori."

(Japanese original by Sayo Kato, Fukuoka News Department)