dry goods; piece goods; textile piece
Refers to fabric sold by the piece, especially traditional Japanese textiles. Often used in historical or merchant contexts.
In the Edo period, shops dealing in dry goods flourished.
Compound of 呉服 (gofuku, 'kimono fabric' or 'drapery') and 物 (mono, 'thing'). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the term is associated with traditional Japanese textile trade.