We have finally been able to launch our new line of Kurume Kasuri.
I'll tell you more about the products at the end, but first I'd like to hear about where we source our fabrics.

The fabric is sourced from Shimokawa Orimono, a Kurume Kasuri weaver.
I actually picked them up and thought about which combinations would work best.
Such a great time!

When I visited for the first time the other day, I had the opportunity to hear about the third generation of the weaver.
Although he is active on the world stage, he was not at all pretentious and spoke to us in a very relaxed manner.
Well, maybe that's more true for people who work on a global stage.
You always said that you would keep the door wide open.

Regarding your success in various fields,
No matter what kind of request I receive, I don't want to worry about whether I can do it or not. I'll do it!
The speed at which you take that first step can make a big difference in the future.
To do this, you need to be always prepared.
It seems he is always in the state of warming up. His shoulders must always be warm! He must be light on his feet!!

As a business owner, he also told us that being a craftsman alone is not enough to get through these times.
He believes that tradition is something that must be sensitive to the latest trends.
He thought that he had to be able to do everything, so he seems to be able to do anything.
(Except for singing, that is. Humor!)

He also said that he always has goals.
It's not something big and far away, but something concrete and close in time.
I'll do this in month X of next year.
Having it or not will change your daily actions.
It's good to have big, distant goals, but it's also effective in maintaining motivation towards them.

Then, I thought that this was a perspective that only a traditional textile craftsman could have, when he talked about how when he went to Europe, he felt that old things are cherished and preserved, but they do not evolve.
Japan is constantly improving and evolving old things.
Of course, it's not a question of which is better.

Kurume Kasuri is made by mechanization.
This is what makes it an industry.
Asian ikat fabrics are collectively called ikat in a broad sense, but it seems that there are almost no other ikat fabrics that are mechanized.
Most of it is handwoven, which has its own value and cannot be compared, but it is certainly an evolution when you consider large-scale production as an "industry."
However, just because it's a machine doesn't mean that anyone can make it.
After all, this is an industry that is based on the skills and traditions of artisans.

As he listened to us talk about our approach to the SDGs, he also told us that there is a big difference in awareness of these issues between the rest of the world and Japan.
Japan is way behind.
Speaking only of environmental issues and waste, for example, in Europe, where there are rows of shops like passages and markets, food is not put into individual styrofoam containers, and eco-bags are the norm, so there is no need to make rules like charging for plastic bags...

However, although I can't say whether that is the direct cause, there are differences in how the coronavirus is spreading between Japan and Europe.
It's difficult to judge whether something is good or bad from one perspective.

This talk talks about the importance of looking at things from a bird's eye view, of seeing things from the other person's perspective, and the difficulty of actually doing so.

It's a wide variety of topics and an interesting way of speaking.
I also learned a lot of other things to learn.

Even if you have heard or seen something before, the power of the story is different when you hear it directly from someone who has actually seen or experienced it.
This makes me realise that persuasive people really do have a wealth of experience.
For this reason, I feel that being quick on your feet is really important.

I also got to see the factory. I didn't have much time so it was only a quick visit, so I would definitely like to take my time and see it again next time.

Shimokawa Orimono is receiving calls from all over the world.
I also thought that it might be a bit difficult to get into, but as I mentioned earlier, I wanted to broaden the scope of my work.
In Japan, each prefecture.
In my hometown of Fukuoka, I go to each city and town.
He said he wanted us to create something using Kurume Kasuri.
Please feel free to come along as much as you like!
We will continue to work hard to maintain our relationship for a long time to come.

Lastly, about the new line.
Using scraps and old items takes more effort and money than using fabric for a brand new product.
But that's exactly why we can make something better than if we were to use new or standard fabric.
This new line of Kurume Kasuri is no exception.

Since it's scrap fabric, it's not long enough, but we took advantage of that and used two different types of fabric on one string.
That means there can be up to four different types per pair!
What a luxury to have four different types of Kurume kasuri at your feet!
The combinations are endless.
Patterned kasuri fabrics are constantly being replaced, so finding a scrap you like is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Pairing is also important.
It is impossible to make the same thing.

Shoe Face's proud seamstresses are located all over Japan, but the ones in charge of this line are from Kurume.
Everything is made in Fukuoka! Personally, I love Fukuoka!!

These Kurume Kasuri shoelaces will take your everyday casual sneakers to the next level.
Moonstar, the brand we use for the shoot, is a shoe manufacturer in Kurume, and they also make Kurume kasuri sneakers, so we added Kurume kasuri shoe covers to them.
Wow, I don't know how many ranks I've climbed yet!

It makes a great gift.
Please create a unique look for your feet.

Kurume Kasuri Shoelaces