Introduction of artisans: Menu ----------------------------- Introduction ----------------------------- Introduction "Clothing" Kyo yuzen silk dyeing / Masahiro Ikeuchi Nishijin textile / Takahisa Tamura Kyo yuzen silk dyeing / Ryotaro Hika Kyo Yuzen silk dyeing / Tomoko Fujii Flower arrangement / Michihisa Watanabe ----------------------------- Introduction "Eating and Drinking" Japanese dishes / Takeshi Shinmura Rice / Takashi Hashimoto Sake / Yoshihiro Higashino ----------------------------- Introduction "Living" Synthetic resin / Shigemi Inari Kiyomizu-ware / Hirokazu Kato Woodblock printing / Yuko Harada Jidaigire / Taro Matsumura Folding fans / Takahito Mizukami

Our shop Jidaigireya-Bon sells various accessories and other articles made from antique cloth that was used for kimono and obi produced between the Meiji (1868-1912) and the early Showa (1926-1989) periods. Unstitching old kimono and obi, we produce fashionable items suitable for contemporary lifestyles.
Using old cloth, some of which has strikingly modern designs, we first produce article prototypes based on our original design. After analyzing various aspects, including attractiveness for modern-day consumers and most reasonable price, we finalize designs and place an order with producers living in the suburbs of Kyoto. Next, our staff members thoroughly inspect the carefully hand-sewn items before marketing them to our shops and other specialty shops nationwide.

Upon graduating from university, I joined a foreign-affiliated company and worked there until two years ago. Since I enjoyed working there, it was not easy to make the decision to succeed to my father's business. After pondering my own career, I finally decided to enter my present profession, partly because I wanted my father's business and its original goods to continue even after his retirement, and partly because I love Kyoto and its time-honored culture. I feel that I have inherited the spirit of Kyoto residents, the spirit that treasures old items. At the same time, even though I have succeeded to my father's business, I do not intend to maintain all his business lines or his business methods. I am planning to develop something new on the bedrock of Kyoto's long tradition.

My motto is to adhere to good traditions, and not to adhere to traditions too much. This may sound paradoxical, but both are important for me. I believe that I must adhere to the spirit of the traditional industry— i.e., creating authentic, high-quality items, but at the same time I must adopt new materials and innovative designs. My role as the shop manager is to connect producers and the market. When I successfully bridge the two, I truly feel a sense of accomplishment.

My parents have keen aesthetic sense, and cultivated my sensibility toward beautiful items. For example, since my childhood we have used antique Imari-ware for daily meals. (Antique Imari-ware didn't used to be as expensive as it is now.) Influenced by my parents, I love various antique items, including, of course, antique cloth.

When I entered my present profession two years ago, I visited our customers throughout Japan. During my tour, I visited a former customer in Kyushu, who had stopped dealing with us several years before. The customer was an elderly woman, running a small shop. Since she became ill and unable to walk well, she said that she was considering cutting back on her business. I explained to her my decision to succeed to my father's business, along with my future vision. Shortly after, I was surprised to see her visiting us in Kyoto to purchase our products. It was indeed a delightful experience, one I will long remember.

I hope to develop our business in the global market. In November this year, I participated in the trade fair "sozo.com" organized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. It is difficult, however, to gain overseas buyers' understanding for our pricing. While making efforts to launch our products in overseas markets, I also hope to purchase in overseas markets many excellent materials for our products. In other words, by using overseas materials I hope to create articles embodying Kyoto's aesthetic sense. My ultimate goal is to enhance our brand in the global market and develop our company into a dominant, world-class business. I know that some companies market counterfeits of our brand items at about one-third the price we charge. Rather than complaining, I strongly hope to establish a solid brand reputation for our products and make our business unrivaled by any other.