The story of Ako dantsu (a traditional carpet woven from cotton) begins in Meiji 3 (1870), when Kojima Naka of Nakamura (currently Nakahiro) came up with the idea to start making it. After that, the refinement of the dantsu’s design and manufacturing technique continued until the dantsu produced in Ako had established its own distinct characteristics. As a result, it was named as one of Japan’s three dantsu types, along with Nabeshima and Sakai dantsu. At the dantsu factories established in Shinhamamura (currently Misaki), young women from the village did the weaving, and Ako dantsu production peaked in the Meiji and Taisho periods. In the Showa period, the dantsu production contracted due to problems surrounding cotton growing. In Showa 59 (1984) Ako dantsu was designated as an Intangible Cultural Property of Ako City. Efforts to revive Ako dantsu began in Heisei 3 (1991), and today, workshops operated by those who have mastered the traditional craft are increasing. Ako dantsu was designated as a Traditional Craft of Hyogo Prefecture in Heisei 19 (2007).