noun
glossy silk cloth; degummed silk
Silk fabric that has been degummed to remove sericin, giving it a soft luster. A traditional textile term.
練り絹は柔らかくて光沢がある。
Degummed silk is soft and has a luster.
この着物は練り絹で仕立てられている。
This kimono is made of glossy silk cloth.
From 練り (neri, 'kneading, glossing') + 絹 (kinu, 'silk'). Refers to the process of degumming silk to produce a soft, lustrous fabric.