The enzymatic retting of kudzu fibers was performed with several commercial enzymes, and the effects on the retting were compared with respect to the smoothness of the surface of the fibers and the mechanical properties. The commercial enzymes were classified into two types, that is, cellulase and pectinase. For the cellulase type, enzymatic decomposition occurred almost topochemically because of the cooperation of cellulase with high activity, and then the retting was fully achieved, suppressing the damage to the intercellular matrix (middle lamella) by pectinase. For the pectinase type, decomposition predominately occurred in the middle lamella joining the adjacent fibrous cells. Therefore, the tensile properties of the retted fibers were lowered. In the retting of kudzu fibers, a topochemical process is promising for producing fibers with excellent luster that retain the tensile properties. (c) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.