What is KIRYU ALOHA?

Kimono "I want to wear it" but "I can't wear it"

 

Ever since I was put on a yukata in my childhood, I have always felt familiar with kimono.

After becoming a member of society, I was involved in kimono at work, planning and managing kimono events with the aim of spreading kimono culture.

I was involved in the kimono experience for a total of 6,500 people.

 

However, the current trend is that the number of people wearing kimonos is not increasing.

This is despite the fact that most of the people who take surveys answer "I want to wear it" or "I'm interested".

 

The reason why the number of people who try to wear it by themselves does not increase

High threshold, no opportunity to wear kimono, unable to wear kimono

This was a big factor.

 

 

For the popularization and preservation of kimono

 

At the same time that kimonos are no longer worn, many craftsmen, techniques, and related companies continue to be lost.

I want to wear a kimono, but I can't take it.

I thought about how to match the kimono with so many people, and decided to change the shape of the kimono.

This is because we want you to wear kimono casually and feel close to us.

Also, even if you can't wear it as a kimono, I think it will be an opportunity for you to experience the goodness of old technology and culture by changing the shape.

 

 

Antique/vintage kimono to Hawaiian shirt

 

Over 100 years ago, Japanese immigrants came to Hawaii.

Then, in the same way as the custom of reusing kimonos in Japan, shirts using kimonos were made locally, which is said to be the origin of today's Hawaiian shirts.

When I learned about this story, I decided to make Hawaiian shirts out of kimonos that were made in the same era.

We would like you to pick up a kimono packed with the techniques and characteristic patterns of the time, and the handiwork of craftsmen in an era when mass production was not possible, and to acquire tradition and culture.

 

 

From Weaving City, Kiryu

 

About 100 years ago, Kiryu boasted the world's largest silk export volume.

It is a major production area of ​​weaving, which is said to be "Nishijin in the west, Kiryu in the east".

I named it KIRYU ALOHA with the desire to spread the silk culture again from here.

All KIRYU ALOHA products are made by craftsmen in Kiryu city.

 

We hope that our Hawaiian shirts, which are reborn by modern craftsmen from kimonos left behind by old craftsmen, will spark an interest in kimonos and make them feel closer to them.

We would like you to connect the culture with your hands.

We hope that you will love our kimonos for a long time while remembering the era in which they were made.

 

 

KIRYU ALOHA Co., Ltd.

Representative Director Rika Kumakiri