KYOTO DENIM
Transplanting traditional craftsmanship of kimono to denim, connecting to the next generation
Traditional Craftsmanship × Sustainability. This concept gave birth to the world’s first brand, “Kyoto Denim,” which integrates the traditional craftsmanship of making kimono such as Kyoto Yuzen dyeing and Kyoto Komon with denim. The origin of this concept lies in the kimono industry that the family of Kyoto Denim’s founder inherited. The family has been involved in the production of kimono for generations since the Edo period. During the Showa period (1926-1988), they manufactured kimono combining traditional craftsmanship and supplied them to many kimono wholesalers.
While expressing beauty through meticulous Japanese handiwork that cannot be achieved through mass production, as the kimono industry was declining, they aimed to convey the appeal of kimono, Japanese traditional crafts, and the sensibility of tradition to the world. Thus, in 2007, they successfully developed “Kyoto Denim,” the industry’s first denim product with Kyoto Yuzen dyeing.
While the term, “kimono,” is recognized as “traditional Japanese clothing” in contemporary times, originally, it simply referred to “clothing” which had nothing to do with a traditional context. However, today, when people hear “kimono,” it often evokes a sense of “traditional” and “not for daily life.”
The concept behind Kyoto Denim stems from the desire for people to wear kimono as casually as they do jeans, and at the same time, to preserve the elaborate traditional craftsmanship of kimono for future generations. At the same time, Kyoto Denim aims to pass down the intricate traditional techniques of kimono production, which involve traditional craftsmanship, to future generations.
By using denim, a familiar textile, to inherit traditional craftsmanship, Kyoto Denim aims to reintroduce Kyoto’s traditions. They employ many traditional techniques used in kimono production, such as pattern making, sketching, and Kyoto Yuzen dyeing on denim fabric. Kyoto Yuzen dyeing is a technique where pictures are drawn using dye composed of water and fine particles. The dye penetrates the core of cotton or silk, creating a depth of color, and the texture varies depending on how light falls on it. This splendid technique, passed down for over 250 years in Kyoto, deepens in color over time, creating a unique hue for each wearer.
Initially focusing on manufacturing jeans, the brand shifted its focus to become a specialty store for handpainted Yuzen-dyed denim bags. In May 2023, it reopened near Kyoto Station. One of the attention-grabbing items is the unique “Shizuku Bag,” designed to resemble water droplets. The patterns applied with hand-painted Yuzen are all crafted by artisans, showcasing the Japanese craftsmanship that cannot be achieved through mass production. Each bag is like a piece of artwork, making it one-of-a-kind, so you can find a bag that is uniquely yours.
Kyoto Denim prioritizes the mission of inheriting traditional techniques. There is no emphasis on mass production or rapid production. Instead, they craft each item with utmost care using traditional techniques rooted in Kyoto’s craftsmanship and kimono
dyeing methods, relentlessly pursuing the authenticity of each piece. It’s not about creating products solely for selling; it’s about crafting items that bring genuine satisfaction to the hands that made them.
Kyoto Denim: A 5-min. walk from Kyoto Station; 9:00-19:00, closed irregularly; purchasing from overseas accepted from their global shopping website: https://kyoto-denim.com