also: カネキン
noun
unbleached muslin; calico
A type of plain-woven cotton fabric, originally unbleached. The term is a historical loan from Portuguese 'canequim'.
from Portuguese canequim
江戸時代、金巾は輸入織物として珍重された。
In the Edo period, calico was prized as an imported fabric.
このシャツは金巾でできている。
This shirt is made of calico.
Katakana spelling reflecting the Portuguese loanword origin; common in modern usage.
Alternate reading; less common than カナキン.
From Portuguese 'canequim', a type of cotton cloth. The kanji 金巾 are ateji.