"Shokunin Mono No. 4" has been published by World Photo Press, a company well known for their MONO magazine, and to whom we are always grateful.
This time the theme was "Craftsmen who make truly fine wallets, bags, and shoes."

This time, the magazine introduced the "Tenugui Apron," which we planned and produced together with Natoriya Dyeing Factory, a tenugui dyeing factory in Sendai.

(Product launch history)
I have been doing business with Natoriya for many years now.
Immediately after March 11th, NHK television showed footage of the tsunami in the Natori River basin, and the first thing that crossed my mind was, "Isn't Sendai's Natori River where Natoriya lives?!"

After that, I called many times over the course of three days, and was truly relieved when I finally answered the phone three days later.

Although everyone and the factory were safe, I felt many things when I met and talked with you in July.
This time, they worked together to create a product in which the fabric of an apron is dyed with the pattern of a traditional tenugui cloth.

It's not just a matter of tenugui fabric being used to make aprons.
Anyone familiar with tenugui dyeing will know that the thickness of the fabric is completely different, and so the dyeing methods and techniques are also completely different.

However, as far as I'm concerned, because Natori-ya has always treasured and protected the traditional patterns of tenugui (which of course have a meaning closely related to Japanese life and are auspicious patterns) in Sendai, I would like them to use those traditional patterns to dye the aprons. And in addition, they would be dyed using the same "hikizome" dyeing technique as tenugui...

However, aprons are made of thick fabric, so it is not possible to wear several at once.
Producing each piece individually is a time-consuming and labor-intensive process.

We had them try out many prototypes and it was a lot of work, but we finally completed what is probably the first of its kind in the world: the No. 1 Canvas Hand Towel Apron.


I put too much effort into this and the text ended up being quite long ^^;
World Photo Press editor Mr. Sugimoto resonated with this idea, and so the book was released in advance in the magazine.
Please take a look at the magazine "Shokuninmono No. 4".

Additionally, designer Yukie Kaneko was introduced to an apron and tote bag with a "Seigaiha" design, which she created based on her experiences as a volunteer after the disaster.

(*500 yen of the price will be donated directly to Ishinomaki City Hall in Miyagi twice a year, at the end of June and December.
The details of the previous donation are listed here . → Click )


■Pre-sales are available at the MONO shop■
Please check out the MONO shop for advance orders.
Click on the photo and you will be taken to the shop.


■mono shop×Anything
Khaki hand towel apron + navy hand towel
This set includes an apron and a hand towel. The pattern is "bamboo stripes."
■Price: Apron and hand towel set: 10,500 yen (tax included)




■mono shop×Anything
Vermilion red hand towel apron + Shinbashi color hand towel (light blue)
This set includes an apron and a hand towel. The pattern is "bamboo stripes."
■Price: Apron and hand towel set: 10,500 yen (tax included)



■mono shop×Anything
"Seigaiha" Apron Tote Bag
This is a tote bag made of No. 1 canvas. The pattern is "Seigaiha."
■Price: 8,925 yen (tax included)



■mono shop×Anything
"Seigaiha" Apron
This is a No. 1 canvas apron. The pattern is "Seigaiha."
This is the same as the one currently on sale on the Anything site.
■Price: Apron and hand towel set: 4,935 yen (tax included)


(Person in charge: Nishimura)
*The photos on this page are borrowed from the World Photo Press website.