A generic term referring to any number of bast fibers taken from the inner bark of trees and the inner skin of tall grasses. The term is also used specifically to refer to hemp (taima). The majority of the Japanese produced bast fibers in the Shōsō-in are hemp or ramie (choma, karamushi). Some of the textiles and cords use fibers from vines like wisteria and nettles. See also Bast-fiber cloth.