News

We participated in the “KYOTO BOOK SUMMIT: Discounted Book Sales & Parent-Child Book Festival,” held at the Umekoji Park Shichijo Entrance Plaza.
Despite the chilly weather, many children enjoyed the Yuzen dyeing experience on framed fabric.
https://kyoto-book-summit.com/

We exhibited at the “41st Craft Dyeing Artisans’ Exhibition” held at the 2nd floor of the Kyoto City Kyocera Museum of Art in Kyoto. One of our pieces, a formal kimono, was awarded the “Kyoto Textile Wholesalers’ Association President’s Award.”

We participated in the "Reiwa 6th Year Kotonomusubi Business Meeting" hosted by Kyoto City, held at the Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts. We introduced our workshop tours and Yuzen dyeing experiences to representatives from lodging and tourism-related facilities within Kyoto City.

We participated in the Traditional Craft Experience Event hosted by Wakasa Seikatsu. Attendees experienced Yuzen dyeing of picture frames.

Two students from Seian University of Art and Design and Kyoto Bunkyo University participated in an internship. After the orientation, they worked alongside craftsmen, visited external factories, and observed meetings. On the final day, they presented their completed project works.
Consortium of Universities in Kyoto
【Instagram】https://www.instagram.com/intern.consortium/
【FaceBook】https://www.facebook.com/consortium.kyoto.intern/
【X】https://x.com/consointernship

We participated in the "Kyoto Manabi Festa 2024" held on the 2nd floor of the Kyoto Economic Center, Kyoto Sangyo Kaikan Hall. Many children had the opportunity to experience Yuzen dyeing of picture frames.

We hosted a workshop tour for international students from the Kyoto University Graduate School of Economics.

We exhibited at the "75th Kyo-Yuzen Competition" held at the Kyoto Sangyo Kaikan Hall.
Three of our works received awards:
・Chairman of the Kyoto Textile Wholesalers Association Award: Formal kimono
・President of the Japan Dyeing Association Award: Formal kimono
・Chairman of the Kyoto Dyeing Association Award: Kimono fabric
We sincerely appreciate the many people who visited during the event.

We exhibited at the "2nd Kyoto Dyeing and Weaving Exhibition" held at Jiji Tsushin Hall in Ginza, Tokyo.

We exhibited in the "Experience Activity Field" at the 'Kotonomusubi Project' Business Meeting, held at the Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts. We presented our workshop tours, Yuzen dyeing experiences, and accessories to representatives from the hospitality industry.

Students from Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar participated in a training program. They brought their own designs, which they had pre-drawn using blue ink in Qatar. Under the guidance of skilled artisans, they applied the itome (fine line technique) and added color to their works.

A fukuro obi (formal belt) featuring a pattern of Shosoin arabesque motifs, inspired by an excerpt from the non-commercial work "Ōchō Monbu." When the two obi pieces, which come in different colors, are combined, the complete design emerges.

We exhibited at the "72nd National Komon Yuzen Dyeing Competition" held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Industrial Trade Center Taito Hall. Our formal kimono was awarded the "Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award."

We exhibited at the "40th Kyo-Yuzen Kimono Art Exhibition – Craft Dyeing Artisan Works Exhibition," held on the first floor of Wings Kyoto in Kyoto.

Two students from Seian University of Art and Design and Kyoto Prefectural University participated in the internship. After the orientation, they had the opportunity to work alongside craftsmen and visit external factories (such as steaming and gold-painting processes). On the final day, they presented their completed project works.

In order to create a kesa (Buddhist robe) using fabric dyed by temple parishioners, many people visited the workshop to participate in the dyeing process.

It was a workshop for customers using an original Cartier pattern.

In collaboration with Kyoto City, TikTok launched a public relations project to support the employment of young people in Kyoto. Starting from April 27, short videos have been released to promote the city's employment support programs and the appeal of working at small and medium-sized enterprises in Kyoto.

On February 17, 2023, the "Picture Book & Craft Festa" was held at AEON Mall KYOTO,and from March 9 to 10, the "Takumi Expo" was held at the Miyako Messe in Kyoto City Industrial Promotion Hall. At the children's workshop, participants experienced creating dyed picture frames based on picture book themes.

At the Kyoto Economic Center, we received awards for the following four items:
・Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award: Kimono fabric
・Director of Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Award: Formal kimono
・Chairman of the Kyoto Prefecture Small and Medium Enterprise Association Award: Formal kimono
・Hankyu Department Store Award: Formal kimono
We sincerely appreciate the many people who visited during the event.

In honor of the 60th anniversary of the company's founding, the Kyocera Museum of Art held a "Kimono Art Exhibition," and our kimono won the "Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Award."
The exhibition was a perfect showcase of beautiful kimonos, and was aptly called an "art exhibition."
We appreciate many people visiting the exhibition.

Two students from Kyoto Seika University and Kyoto University of Arts visited us for internships.
After a classroom lecture and tour, they colored in the workshop on the second floor with other craftsmen.
We hope this internship will be useful for their job-hunting activities in the future.

New works by Itome Yuzen, Kinsai, Pongee, Nuregaki, and Roketsu Dyeing were shown at the exhibition, Including the commemorative project, French “INEDIT.”
There was also a space for new artists in the studio.
In addition, a hands-on yuzen dyeing corner was set up in the exhibition hall for the enjoyment of many visitors.

Ten students from Kyoto University of Arts participated.
After the process was explained and the students toured the workshop, they asked many questions, and their enthusiasm was palpable.

Five second-year students from Higashi Katsushika Junior High School came to our workshop to try dying a handkerchief.
Every student looked very serious as they worked on the project.

We received the following awards: “Thank you very much.”

A double‐woven obi (Fukuro Obi): Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Award
The same double‐woven obi (Fukuro Obi): Special Technique Prize
* Kijaku: Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries Award
Kijaku: Award of Excellence
Semi-formal kimono for women: The Japan Designers’ Association Award
Semi-formal kimono for women: My-avorite-Kimono Award

* standard length of material used in a kimono

On January 7 (Friday) at 7:30 p.m., NHK-BS Premium aired a program titled “Kimono – The Pot of Beauty,” in which Okayama Kogei and Takeko Okayama appeared.
Special “Kimono – The Pot of Beauty – NHK

A class was held at our company to provide an opportunity for students to learn and think about their future career paths after graduation, with a view to becoming “human resources” who will contribute to society” in the future.

At the “Kimono Art Exhibition” held at the Kyocera Museum of Art the other day, our semi-kimono (called “homongi”) won the “NHK Kyoto Broadcasting Station Director-General’s Prize” and our kijaku (kimono cloth) won the “Kyoto Dyeing Association President’s Prize.”
The exhibition was a perfect showcase of beautiful kimonos, and was aptly called an art exhibition.

“Kyoto Perfect Book” was published by Shobunsha in early August. Our obiage dyeing experience is featured in the book under the theme of “familiarizing yourself with traditional craftsmanship culture. “You can also dye frames and handkerchiefs. Kyoto is brimming with new attractions. Please take a look!

It was based on an article that appeared in the free newspaper “City Living” as part of a series introducing people who work for companies and organizations that are committed to reforming the way Kyoto City works and achieving “true work-life balance.”

We held an obiage dyeing workshop at our studio the other day. Participants chose their favorite color, and after receiving instruction from the craftsman, they were free to dye as they liked. The result was a unique piece. After steaming and other processing, the works will be delivered to you!

On January 29th, “Tsukuru Manabu Kyoto no Oshigoto (Create, learn, and work in Kyoto)” Tegaki Yuzen (Hand-painted Yuzen) program was successfully held online. Many children from all over Japan, from Hokkaido to Okinawa, participated in the event. They enjoyed learning about hand-painted kyoyuzen remotely and were able to complete their original dyed frames at the end of the workshop.　

“Traditional Craft Handicraft Experience” was held at Kyoto Job Park. Under the guidance of a craftsman, participants were able to try their hand at painting lamp patterns. Participants were able to choose their favorite design, and color it, and assemble it to create a one-of-a-kind lamp. Everyone enjoyed the experience.

We were featured in the opening feature article of “ANONA,”  an information magazine of Kyoto Chuo Shinkin Bank. Please take a look.

An exhibition of 426 furisode (long-sleeved kimonos) and obis (sashes) created with the images of countries around the world for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics was held to showcase the completed works.
We presented three countries: Ireland, Comoros, and Nauru.

The show is held once a year at the newly opened Kyoto Kyocera Museum of Art. Our dyed kijaku (kimono cloth) received the “President’s Prize” from the Dyeing and Textile Newspaper Company.
Also on display tsukesage kimonos and face-mask cases from each of the 47 prefectures of Japan.

It features new employees who joined us in April of this year.
They talked about how they joined the company and their aspirations for the future as part of the interview with the president.

We were joined by an intern from the Netherlands. She made her own furisode kimono over the course of six months.

The audience ceremony was held at the Imperial Palace.

Our works were displayed.

We produced a Kimono of England by using the design which won the first prize at the England design section at Kimono Fabric Design Competition.
We received “Senshoku Shinpo President Award” at The Work of Craft and Dyeing Design Exhibition.

All Kimonos prepared for participating teams were displayed at the opening ceremony and lifted the mood at the ceremony.
The Kimono of Ireland we produced was also displayed. We believe that we could help make Japanese tradition and culture look fascinating to the world.

The Kimono collections of world Kimono project “Imagine One World” took place at the dinner party hosted by Prime Minister. Representative from 53 African countries were invited. The Kimono of Comoro Islands which we produced was also displayed.

We recruited a student from Netherland and two students from a Japanese university as interns.

This tour was sponsored by Kyoto Job Support Center for Young People.
The student exchange event took place. Students joined it from all over Japan.
You can check details of the event on the site of the Center.

Tankosha, a publisher in Kyoto, has opened an info site, “Chanoyu Map,” for people interested in
Kyoto tea ceremony and Japanese culture.
You can access assorted information on “Tsukigama” or tea ceremony, museums, historical
interest spots, and the shops where you can savor Japanese tea.

This magazine, AFFLUENT, carries a lot of pictures and information for Kyoto residents beyond generations, Kyoto people who can appreciate high quality and authenticity.
Our interview will be featured in the leading article in its spring issue.

The number of “LIKE” on Facebook of “Kyoto Fan” of “Discover Kyoto” exceeded over 10 millions, and became No.1 in the world in the city section of Facebook.
We are planning to show “Kimono” as a special feature of the new project of Discover Kyoto.
We hope that you will enjoy beautiful images shot with a 4K camera.

“Échappée belles” is a very popular TV program, and it has been broadcasted for the past 12 years. You can watch in this program beautiful images of traditional and cultural events and items, popular places and activities across the world.

We marketed two types of items at a newly-opened Kyoto Economy Center.
One item was “Kin-pu Fukusa. It is considered in Japan as a matter of curtesy and a form of sensitive caring to enclose a gift or money with a noshi envelope and wrap it with fukusa (a silk wrapping cloth).
The other one was “Nenjyu-ire,” or small bags for a Buddhist rosary. They are part of “ONE TONE” series.

We participated in this gift show as a member of “Atarashikimono Kyoto (New Products from
Kyoto).” We exhibited cover protectors for prescription record books. They were pretty colorful, traditionally made up of Kyoyuzen dyed fabrics. They were received very well.

They visited us as part of their culture-studying program to explore “what thoughts and wishes people in the culture-related industry have.” In the Q&A session, there was active give-and-take between the students and us, and we had a great opportunity to rethink the kinds of questions we usually didn’t think about.

Nancy joined our workshop tour. She and her companions visit us every year from the US.
At the request they do something new this year, we arranged for them to produce a dyed picture in the frame.
It is a postcard-sized frame. Take-away available on the spot.
It has a favorable reputation.

The 35th exhibition of craft and dyeing design works was held in Miyako Messe convention hall. Our kimono cloth won the award of the Chief of Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry.

An event for new products from different companies took place on this day, thronged with visitors.

We produced formal kimonos in the image of Burkina Faso under the theme of “Kimonos reflect the world”.

We delivered a lecture at Herbis Osaka, on the subject of “Kyo Yuzen, Now and Future”.

We recruited a female intern from Germany. She is to work for three months.

This is an interview article with Mr. Takatoshi Yajima, chairman of Yamato, regarding
challenges the Kimono industry faces. We recognized the significance of tackling
those challenges in an attempt to keep producing good things.

The students joined a handkerchief-dyeing workshop. More students are coming to
our workshops these days.

It was held In Kurume city, Fukuoka Prefecture.
We worked on Nauru as we did Ireland.
Some cute high school students modeled for the day.

This is the final meeting starting last summer. Practical suggestions and eight ideas
were put forward to promote local business and they will be materialized as business
enterprises.

The completion was held at Miyako Messe Hall.
The Grand Prize for Planning was awarded to OKAYAMA-KOUGEI on the occasion of
Meeting Kimono Couture, 2020.”

The Exhibit was held at Hotel Okura Kyoto.
Pieces of art work from “ONE TONE” were displayed; the collection was presented at
Tokyo Gift Show.

An exhibition of some works of Kozo Okayama, a Kyoto master craftsman, was held at Kyoto Station Building and at Miyako Messe Hall. The exhibition was titled “A Kyoto Master. Spring & Autumn.” Concurrently, an exhibition sale for silk fukusa crape wrappers and Buddhist rosary bags took place at the same venues.

In Tokyo Big Sight
We released our new brand “ONE TONE” in the booth “Atarashikimono Kyoto” of Kyoto Chamber of Commerce.
Nine designs of formal and modern Fukusa (a crape wrapper) and Nenjyu-ire (a small bag for rosaries for Buddhists) were displayed.
The combination with braided cords of your tastes will make wide variations to them.

We had a lecture at Waseda University about the past and future of hand-painted yuzen. It is our hearty wish that young people become more familiar with and feel closer to kimonos.

The first-year students from Momoyama Junior High School visited us as part of their studying tour. We held a question and answer session, and we actively interacted with the students.

We produced a hand-painted yuzen shawl at the request of Ms. Priscila Satake, who came to Japan from Brazil on a training course of JICA. The muted-colored shawl was very well received.

The 34th Exhibition of Craftworks was held at Kyoto Miyakomesse. Our homongi or semi-formal kimono was given the Award of Kyoto Prefectural Governor. New works from the participating companies were also displayed. Many people visited the exhibition.

The event hosted by Kyoto Job Hunting Support Center for youth was held for the exchange between students and companies. The detail of the event is also posted on the website of Kyoto Job Hunting Support Center for youth.

The acceptance of internship started. It was scheduled to continue for a half year starting with August. The internship student and their family member came to Japan and had a hands-on experience of yuzen artcraft.

The studio tour and the company-information session took place for new comers in the kimono industry.

The students who majored in Design Science visited our studio again this year.

We visited factories for steaming cloth, painting cloth, gilding cloth and refinishing cloth respectively.

Our new effort to protect kimono culture was reported on the new.

We exhibited small goods and accessories for kimono in Kyoto BAL.
The artisans in Kyoto gathered to suggest that we should use more traditional crafts in our daily life.

In KBS Kyoto
The promotion program of Kyoto. Heisei KIZOK, who is a group for promotion of Kyoto, experienced wearing Kyo-yuzen kimono and walked around Kyoto city.

In Miyakomesse
The works of Kozo Okayama were displayed and the original goods and accessories of Okayama Kogei were exhibited.

(galleries for Kyoto items in Kyoto city) (the project displaying Kyoto traditional items in banks to introduce them)

In gallery café Kyoto Saryo
We joined the event “The day of traditional industry 2017 in Kyoto station.” Our original goods and accessories were displayed and sold.

In Shibuya Hikarie
We exhibited our original goods and accessories and launched new pencil case.

In Tokyo big sight
We exhibited our original goods and accessories such as Kinpu fukusa (a silk wrapping cloth for an envelope with money), business card cases and pouches.

(Research Japan which people in the world are interested in! How wonderful Japan is!)

by the nationwide network of TV Ashahi
We were introduced as one of the best 10 in the ranking, which many foreign journalists recommend in Japan.

In Kyoto Municipal Museum of Art
We made Homongi (a semi-formal kimono for women) which won the award of Ministry of Economy, trade and Industry.
The exhibition was also held in Ojiya city, Paris, Okazaki city and Tokyo.

In COREDO Muromachi, Nihonbashi Mitsui Hall, Tokyo
The project for making kimonos for 196 countries aiming at 2020
We took in charge of making a kimono for Ireland.

We talked with TV host, Hiroshi Takebe about kimonos which stand for culture of Kyoto.

First time participation in “Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week TOKYO

As a part of coordinating between industry and education, Yamaoka-Kougei and Brand “haha” are supplying co-developed materials for the collection.

Ore stance is to always challenge the forefront of fashion, in order to spread the wonder of Kyoto’s traditional crafts.

Tokyo Collection official homepage
http://tokyo-mbfashionweek.com/jp/brands/detail/ha-ha/
“haha” official homepage
http://ha-ha4.wix.com/ha-ha#

Designer Takafumi Tsuruta

He was born in Chiba prefecture, year 1981. In 2003 he joins Ltd. HIROKO KOSHINO. Wiles studying under designer Hiroko Koshino, he took part in fashion shows and licensing business. Later he was in charge of design in a children’s close company. In 2011, he became a lecturer at Futaba Fashion Academy. Alongside his job as a lecturer, he took part in a wide range of activities, such as designing stage costumes and costumes for musicians. In 2012 he managed the design of Ltd. JVC KENWOOD’s showroom. In 2013, establishes his own brand “haha”, at Futaba Fashion Academy.

The theme is universal mode, clothes for men and women of all ages that can be worn on any occasion. I think universal design should not be close for the disabled, but close that everyone can feel comfortable. This time we used magnets instead of buttons. Other features are: accessories that are detachable using magnets: clothes with zips making it easy to open and close: avoiding use of metal parts that might cause allergy: functional structure making it easy for your arms to move: designs without stitches to avoid bedsores.
In this collection there is a lot of Braille print. I hope you will pay attention, for each one has its meaning. As collaboration with Okayama-Kougei, the Braille print is all hand drawn on to silk. (Extracted form haha collection leaflet.)

A Certified IT Management Company is…
A company that fits the following: Acknowledged to be using IT through-out the business: Acknowledged to have used the data acquired from IT for management decisions: Acknowledged to have attempted to optimise the company or attempted to optimise transaction between companies.

Certified IT Management Companies: http://www.it-keiei.go.jp/award/2014/announcement.html#title07
IT management portal: http://www.it-keiei.go.jp/index.html
Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry:
http://www.meti.go.jp/press/2013/02/20140206002/20140206002.htmlhttp://www.meti.go.jp/press/2013/02/20140206002/20140206002.html

Logo for “2014 IT Management Awards for Small and Medium Enterprises”

At the request of the Japan International Cooperation Center(JICE), we held a Yuzen class for university students who had come to Japan from 10 different countries via The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)

Young officials from Myanmar visited us when the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) held a Myanmar economic reform support program.

In addition, our company was featured in the January 2013 issue of the Foundation newsletter and on the website of the Foundation for Pacific Resource Exchange Center (PREX).

We featured a variety of items, such as long-sleeved kimonos, obi belts, coats, shawls, undershirt, accessories, and products using the newly developed “kibiso silk.”

We held a question and answer session focusing on views from the perspective of the administrative side of foreign exchange.