 n recent years, there is a growing awareness and movement among the younger generation in Japan to readdress the value of aged and forgotten commodities. From recreation of meticulous craftwork or the revitalization of old products with added texture and taste, there may be a lot more to expect from the upcoming generation to preserve these historical assets that have tended to disappear from our modern society.
Here at KUROCHIKU, our concept is to preserve the traditional arts and commodities of Kyoto that have been cultivated for generations by focusing on the recreation of products suiting today?s value perception and or changing the intended usage of merchandise to fit our consumer?s contemporary lifestyles. For example, the recreation of smaller novelty items from old vintage Kimono fabrics or the renovation of old Kyoto Machiya houses into trendy restaurants preserves the valuable heritage of Kyoto to prosper for more generations to enjoy.
This concept initiated from a real - life experience of our current president and founder. Originally employed for a Kimono shop doing designs, but he set out to establish his own business at a young age. The idea of his business came to him when he started selling his own artwork along the streets of Arashiyama in Kyoto city after pasting his drawings on some beautiful vintage paper and fabrics or when he was invited to the house party by a foreign friend and saw them reusing an old charcoal brazier as a wine cooler. To change the intended purpose of one product and use it as something else allows that almost forgotten something to be reborn again.
With many products that KUROCHIKU handles, this is the underlying principle of the corporation.
Among the many products that KUROCHIKU offers, the wood-grained dolls are particularly eye-catching. The dolls are dressed with recreated vintage Kimono fabrics.
These dolls were first made by one of the priests at Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto City. The collected expression and graciousness brought out from the Kimono fabrics orients to the true attractiveness of Japanese taste. It is said in Japan that a spirit lies within every doll. This wood-grained doll also holds something within and almost seems as if it is trying to say something to one who looks at it.
We also hold hands-on workshops to make mobile phone straps of this doll.
Furthermore, we have a selection of recreated and reborn items such as fashionable hand bags using an ?Ajiro? processing which is a weaved sheet of wood or bamboo often used in old Japanese homes on ceilings or as floor mats. There are also a variety of Japanese themed small novelty items such as drawstring pouches made from old vintage Kimono fabrics. Nothing is mass produced so every item is always original and one of a kind. It?s always an exciting experience when coming across our original products. |
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| Soft billowy coin purse ?Chrysanthemums, Peonies, and Purple? (pure silk with printed Japanese design) 840 yen |
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Tokiwa Bag ?Bird and Beast Cartoon Design? (printed silk with basketwork) 18,900 yen |
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Extra-Large Boston Bag made from a Sake Cellar Bag with triangular pattern 40,950yen |
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TEL: +81-(0)75-256-5000 FAX: +81-(0)75-256-5020
Address: 380 Mukadeya-cho, Shinmachi-dori Nishikikoji Agaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
Available languages: English, Japanese
Website: http://www.kurochiku.co.jp/english/
Credit cards: VISA, MASTER, Diners Club, American Express, DC, etc.
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