also: サントメじま
noun
striped cotton fabric from São Tomé; Japanese imitation of São Tomé striped cotton
Historical textile term; refers to a striped cotton originally imported from São Tomé and later reproduced in Japan. Now mainly encountered in discussions of Edo-period fabrics or traditional crafts.
江戸時代、桟留縞は舶来の縞木綿として人気があった。
In the Edo period, santomejima was popular as an imported striped cotton fabric.
この着物は桟留縞で仕立てられている。
This kimono is made of santomejima.
縞木綿 is a general term for striped cotton fabric, while 桟留縞 specifically refers to the São Tomé-origin or -style striped cotton.
From 桟留 (Santome, an old Japanese rendering of São Tomé) + 縞 (jima, 'striped fabric'). The fabric was originally imported from São Tomé and Príncipe via Portuguese trade, and later imitated by Japanese weavers.