A total of 120 types of aprons are on display, ranging from those from 100 years ago to those currently used overseas.

The "Japanese Aprons Exhibition" was held at Itochu Corporation's "Itochu Aoyama Art Square" in Aoyama, Tokyo.

Founded in Omi in 1858 by the first president, Chubei Itoh, Itochu Corporation's corporate message is "One merchant, countless missions."
The apron, a symbol of Japanese merchants, was a perfect fit, and a panel explaining the history of "Itochu Corporation and aprons" was also included.



~Part of the panel posted~
The "Clothing Standards" set out in the "Collection of Supplementary Provisions to the Itochu General Partnership Store Law" of 1915 (Taisho 4) states that all employees of "minor rank" or above at Itochu were required to wear an apron. This apron was limited to "blue stripes," plain cotton woven with indigo-dyed thread. This shows that it was used for very practical purposes.
It is believed that aprons have been used since the company was founded, but it is unclear how long they were used, and they are thought to have been worn until around 1918 (Taisho 7). (Research by Itochu Corporation)

As you can see, aprons were actually used as formal workwear to protect the bodies, waists, and kimonos of workers during the Meiji period.


The actual aprons on display are owned by Masao Oota, Japan's number one apron collector, and include a total of 120 aprons in different sections, including aprons from sauce manufacturers across the country, aprons from Japanese sake breweries, and aprons from overseas restaurants made by Anything.

The talk show held during the event was fully booked with 50 attendees, and included a demonstration of stencil carving by Toyohashi apron craftsman Hidesuke Sugie, allowing many people to learn about the appeal of aprons, a traditional Japanese culture.












"Japanese Aprons Exhibition"
●Organizers: Japan's Apron Exhibition Executive Committee (Anything Co., Ltd., Toyohashi Sail Apron Promotion Association)
Co-hosted by Itochu Corporation; Sponsored by the Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry, Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, and the Toyohashi Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Cooperation with Oota Masao; Dates: Thursday, September 10th to Sunday, September 27th, 2015
Venue: Itochu Aoyama Art Square (C-I Plaza B1F, 2-3-1 Kita-Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo)



(Article by Nishimura)