Takayanagi Kiichi Shoten was founded in 1959. It is known as one of the few manufacturers in Japan that carries out sewing and indigo dyeing in-house. This time, we were given a tour of the indigo dyeing factory. The company is also focusing on judo uniforms, as the previous president was an eighth-degree judo dan. We asked about their original products and the policies they have adopted since the new management took over. (May 2017)

profile

Takayanagi Kiichi Shoten Co., Ltd.

Representative Director Shigeyoshi Takayanagi

Sales: Eiko Yamashita Sales: Makoto Tajiki

Background of the company's founding

—Could you tell us about the background of your company's founding and its strengths? Yamashita : "The dyeing and sewing techniques for the judo uniforms and hakama. We have our own sewing factory in Japan. We originally did indigo dyeing, so behind our head office is an indigo dyeing factory. It's not in operation every day, though." -This is the first time I've visited a manufacturer that does its own dyeing in-house. Tariki : "When we first started, we dyed thread, had it woven by a weaver, and sold the rolls of fabric." Yamashita: "You were mainly selling fabrics, weren't you?" —The dyed color feels special.

Enshu indigo dyeing, characterized by its pale colors

Yamashita: "It's called Enshu dyeing." —Enshu...? Tajiki: "The area around here is called Enshu." —By the way, I took the Enshu Railway. Yamashita : That's Enshu (laughs). The neighboring Shizuoka prefecture is called Suruga, and Saitama prefecture is called Bushu. —What are the characteristics of Enshu dyeing? Yamashita: "Its defining feature is its lightness. We believe this is true indigo. At present, however, darker indigo seems to be more accepted." —There are many different ways to dye things. Yamashita : "I don't think there are any other manufacturers that have their own indigo dyeing factories." —Can I see the indigo dyeing factory? Yamashita: “It’s really dirty (laughs), but that’s what an indigo dyeing factory is.” —Your company also manufactures judo uniforms, right? Yamashita : "The previous president, Kiichi, passed away in January 2017. My grandfather was an indigo dyer and my father practiced judo. So, although he also worked hard at kendo, he put a lot of effort into judo."

An indigo dyeing factory with a sense of history

Tajiki: "The Japanese-made judo uniforms and hakama are made in our own sewing factory."

Special dyeing

Yamashita: "I don't want to get too many orders for this (laughs). It's very original, but it's all made to order." Plant-dyed kendo uniform —That's quite distinctive. Yamashita: "Other manufacturers have also asked to make our products. We've even made some protective gear on a trial basis."

Plant-dyed armor

-How did it come to be manufactured? Yamashita : "I made this for customers with allergies, like atopic dermatitis. It's made with natural ingredients." -Persimmon tannins are often said to help prevent odors. Yamashita: "Isn't that the same with indigo dyeing? It's for people who get sweaty and smelly. We make it with the aim of reducing allergy-causing ingredients." Tadachi: "Kendo uniforms and hakama are often purchased as gifts." Yamashita: "We have cherry blossom and sax blue uniforms, and they are also popular. They're original."

Bright pink hakama

Yamashita: "The size for elementary school students and the cherry blossom color are especially popular." —This is the first time I've seen cherry blossom color. Yamashita: "The color changes over time, so we try not to keep it in stock. It's not made to order, but that's just the way it is."

Looking ahead to overseas expansion

President: "Our company has obtained ISO (International Organization for Standardization) certification." Yamashita: "It's a small company, but my predecessor wanted to expand overseas, so he thought it would be a good idea to take this on. In France and Europe, you have to really think about safety." President : "The key is to supply the same products. Often, the first lot of overseas products is good, but when it comes to the second and third lots, they cut costs and switch to cheaper materials, which can result in poor quality. Our company provides our customers with consistent products." Yamashita: "We operate our factories under ISO standards so that anyone can produce the same products." -This was my first time visiting a manufacturer that specializes in dyeing. Thank you for your time today. Click here to see the product page of Takayanagi Kiichi Shoten, the store we interviewed! interviewer ◎ Representative Director: Go Ueshima Born in Sendai in 1987. While in the Sendai High School Kendo Club, he studied under Mitsunobu Sato and made it to the top eight of the Inter-High School Championships. After graduating from university, he worked as the business development manager for a restaurant chain with 200 stores across the U.S. He worked in sales at a foreign internet advertising company and as the head of the sales department and president's office at Innova Co., Ltd., before founding Bushizo Inc. in January 2017. ◎ Director Yusuke Kudo Born in Hokkaido in 1984. Graduated from Rikkyo University's Faculty of Law. While in school, he launched a free magazine and provided marketing support for an apparel brand. In 2008, he joined Yahoo Japan Corporation, where he worked in sales of advertising products such as search advertising and display advertising. In January 2017, he founded Bushizo Inc. He began practicing kendo at the age of six and continues to practice it to this day.