To optimize the tension of a weft after the weft-insertion and prevent the lowering of the quality of a woven cloth by holding an inserted weft with a pair of holding pieces in an elastically pressed state.

A pair of holding pieces 63, 64 of a holding mechanism 6 fixed to the frame of a loom with a stay 61 are separated and approached with a driving mechanism 65 such as a solenoid. An inserted weft W is held with the holding pieces 63, 64 in an elastically pressed state e.g. by forming the movable holding piece 63 with an elastic material (a plate spring). The slippage of the weft W between the holding pieces begins when the tension of the weft W exceeds the elastic holding power of the holding pieces 63, 64 and the tension of the weft W is kept to a level preset by the elastic force of the holding pieces 63, 64.