Keeping the Japanese traditional textile industry alive

The traditional textile and kimono industries have seen such an alarming decrease in sales over the last few decades that talk of them dying out has become a subject that I think I should probably discuss at some point here. But many other people have already written very good articles on the subject, so if you get the chance you should take a look at those too. I'd like the focus of this entry to be on ways consumers can help keep these industries alive. For some dressing in kimono has become like second nature, but I realize that for the majority, this is not going to be a realistic possibility. However, with Japan's dwindling population and the lack of interest the country's citizens have in kimono, I think it's going to take a global scale effort to help it's time honored textiles continue.

The traditional way of wearing kimono probably seems like a lot of work and hassle to a public for whom wearing jeans and t-shirts has become the daily norm (and I include myself in that group, since this is what I wear a lot of the time). Convenience has become king. But, there are lots of ways becoming available that we can incorporate parts of these old-fashioned items into our daily lives.

Japanese textile industries are working hard to modernize and coming up with innovative new products that make use of traditional methods. For example there are a style of Converse All Stars made from Nishijin-ori weave textile, traditionally used to make obi. Or how about a wedding dress made with fabric that is usually reserved for kimono? There are even some really cute gamaguchi wallets made of Bizen woven cotton or Ise cotton. The list goes on and on.

In addition to these modern items, second hand textiles when worn as accessories or used to create something new, can help draw the attention of other industries to the beauty and timelessness of these designs and help create an even greater and growing market for traditional artisans.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this subject. How do you think we could make a lasting positive impact on these industries? Have you ever bought a vintage item with the intent of giving it a glorious new purpose? Or a product of modern design using the old techniques?

Hari-kuyou

On February 8th (specifically in the Kanto region, and December 8th in the Kansai region) the Japanese celebrate a 400+ year old festival known as Hari Kuyo (Festival of Broken Needles). Traditionally a holiday geared towards women, kimono tailors and sewing hobbyists alike take their old needles to local Buddhist temples to put them "to rest" cradled on soft beds of tofu. This is done to thank them for their good service in the past year and also for sharing in their owner's personal burdens and sorrows. At this time prayers are also offered for an improvement in sewing capabilities. In addition to reflecting the traditional Japanese beliefs in animism (that all objects have souls), I think this practice also embodies the Japanese concept of mottainai (regret of wastefulness). And on that note, when we wear and use second hand kimono, I think that it's a very similar kind of action. When I wear a vintage kimono with my grandmother's pill hat and purse, I get a deep feeling of happiness in knowing that something that has brought someone else joy to wear over the years, can now bring me delight as well and still have use.

The search for men's kitsuke items

I've gotten a lot of requests in the last few months for more men's kimono items. While I'm certainly happy to oblige them, I think it's worth noting that this is turning out to be an interesting challenge. While on a search to try to find these items, I've started wonder about why it is that they are so hard to come by. The majority of my stock is vintage, and while I do carry some new items, these tend to be pricey and I personally feel that having a lot of merchandise to choose from that is affordable for all is of more importance. While thinking about all of this, I have come up with a little theory. Women's vintage items are probably more prolific because a) they were better taken care of, and b) they were probably not used as often. Men's daily activities would have been much more hard on their clothing, making them not last nearly as long. And women probably had more of a wardrobe to choose from than men, so they're items would be less worn out overall because they weren't in constant use. Again, this is just a crazy theory. ;)