​PASSIONEER

The ultimate hand-craftsmanship of France: A vintage Hermès silk scarf featuring vibrant insect motifs, gifted by a dear friend in Lyon. An Hermès silk scarf. Today, it is said that Hermès imports its ultra-premium raw silk from Brazil to create these masterpieces. What rests before my eyes is the absolute pinnacle of French hand-craftsmanship. Every time I look at this vivid blue and gold silk, it opens a brilliant drawer of memories from seventeen years ago. In 2009, I visi

The Yukata is one of the few kimonos where you can play boldly, regardless of your age. While often spoken of as the symbol of summer, its origins lie in the bathhouse as a post-bath robe, historically known as a katabira. Did they simply wipe off the moisture with a tenugui towel, throw it on, and step outside? Or was it worn to elegantly entice someone? Though the bathhouses of today differ greatly from the past, the imagination runs wild. Here is the second indulgence enco

Vintage silk fabric dyed using the stencil of Living National Treasure Hiroshi Kodama, beautifully washed and stretched. Why must Wasai—traditional Japanese tailoring—be done by hand? Although it is a highly exceptional form of haute couture, its rare value has long been overlooked in Japan, perhaps because it was once a natural part of daily life. However, times have changed, and the custom of wearing a garment until it is completely worn out is fading. Today, through a 70-y

Unpicked and washed silk fabric returned to its original bolt form, ready for its next life. The Sole Reason Wasai is Hand-sewn Wasai (traditional Japanese tailoring) is a garment designed from the very beginning with "remaking" in mind. If sewn with a machine, needle marks permanently scar the fabric. That is precisely why Wasai needles are crafted to be incredibly fine, and even our basting threads are far more delicate than those used in Western dressmaking. Our tools are

Photograph of great-grandparents attending the 1928 enthronement ceremony A photograph from 1928, taken on the occasion of theEnthronement Ceremony of Emperor Shōwa.It shows my great-grandparents, who attended the ceremony at the Imperial Court. At that time, the enthronement was still held in Kyoto.The previous one, for the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Taishō, is said to have involved Nijō Castle as one of its associated venues.For Emperor Shōwa, the ceremonies took plac

1. The Myth of Delicate Silk When you see a price tag of $1,480, you expect a lifetime investment. But many people fear silk is too delicate, especially when it comes to vintage kimono textiles. We are here to tell you: Tsumugi Silk is the strongest, toughest silk in Japanese history. Unlike delicate Satin or shiny Crepe, Tsumugi was originally a working-class fabric worn by farmers and artisans. It was engineered not for luxury, but for longevity . TSUMUGI silk duster coat b