Also known as “China grass,” the Boehmeria nivea is a member of the nettle family. The bast fibers stripped from the skin of this herbaceous perennial that grows up to two-and-a-half meters tall are strong, long and lustrous. Ramie was paid as tribute and could be used to weave cloth and make ropes, but among the Shōsō-in treasures, is far less common than hemp.