Fabric
Features of "Anything" MAEKAKE Fabric
Feature 1: About the thread
We use thick thread that is not normally used in apparel.
The yarn spun in Osaka is transported to Toyohashi, Aichi, and put on a shuttle loom that is approximately 100 years old.
Feature 2: About the loom
At the Toyohashi Factory, shuttle-type power looms made by Toyota (the "N-type" loom invented by Sakichi Toyoda in 1914) and Suzuki (the loom invented by Michio Suzuki in the 1920s) are still in operation.
Every day, they manufacture unique fabrics with a soft, handmade feel, while keeping an eye on the daily temperature and humidity.
Feature 3: Weaving
In addition to being “thick,” our MAEKAKE are characterized by their ‘flexibility’ and the fact that they “become softer with use.”
Furthermore, the factory has garnered attention overseas as an energy-efficient facility because it employs a “group operation” system in which a single small motor powers ten looms.
Feature 4: About the tassels
The “tassels” hanging down are also a traditional feature of the MAEKAKE.
Some theories suggest they may have originated from the ceremonial sashes worn in Sumo wrestling, while others propose they derive from the decorative ropes found at Shinto shrines.
Feature 5: Ears
The selvedge on both ends is a feature of the traditional shuttle looms that softly weave thick fabrics. Overseas, it is called selvedge.
Enjoy the traditional texture of this fabric, which is different from mass-produced fabrics made with high-speed machines.
Feature 6: The red and white obi (belt)
Traditionally, MAEKAKE have featured a “red-and-white obi” sash.
The term “red” refers to vermilion or orange, and just as these colors have long been used for shrine torii gates, Daruma dolls, and Akabeko cows, they have also been used for "obi" of MAEKAKE.
Along with symbolizing sacredness, these aprons embody wishes for warding off misfortune, prosperous business, and good fortune.
The Difference Between "No. 1 quality Thick Fabric" and "No. 2 basic Fabric"
The main difference between No. 1 and No. 2 fabrics is the thickness of the yarn used.
Features of No. 1 quality Thick Fabric
Anything's signature, premium-quality fabric.
We weave our No. 1 fabric using two strands of No. 3 yarn—which is approximately twice as thick as the yarn used in our standard No. 2 fabric. This makes the fabric thicker and more durable, ensuring it will last for years.
Although it is thick, it remains lightweight because we weave it with a loose thread count to ensure it softens with use. It is characterized by a gentle, rustic texture.
MAEKAKE made from our No. 1 quality thick fabric feature a burgundy-colored brand label. They are delivered in our original Japanese paper box.
Features of No. 2 basic Fabric
Anything's standard fabric.
We weave our No. 2 fabric using two thicker threads—No. 6 and No. 6 slub—using 2-strand as one.
As a result, the this fabric is characterized by its substantial thickness and durability, yet it remains soft and supple right from the start.
MAEKAKE made from No. 2 basic fabric features a navy blue brand label. It is delivered in an MAEKAKE-style package made from a Japanese rice bag.
Traditional "Ichigo-No.1-" MAEKAKE
We have acquired 10 shuttle looms—including “Toyota,” “Suzuki,” and “Enshu” models dating back approximately 100 years—from “Haga Syokufu,” a MAEKAKE weaving factory in Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, the last remaining apron-producing region in Japan.
We use these looms to weave our premium No. 1 MAEKAKE and our basic No. 2 MAEKAKE.
~The story of the revival of the "Ichigo-No.1-" MAEKAKE~
Following the period of rapid economic growth in the 1960s, Japanese manufacturing entered a major turning point from the 1970s through the 1980s.
Japanese manufacturing plants had long operated based on the four principles of “fast,” “cheap,” “mass production,” and “uniformity,” but around that time, various manufacturing industries—starting with the textile industry—began shifting production overseas, particularly to China.
It became increasingly difficult to preserve Japanese technology, and coupled with changes in lifestyle, the transmission of these skills began to break down.
Amid these major historical shifts, Japanese aprons also began to change around the 1980s.
Looking at old order sheets, it appears that the fabric was commonly referred to as "No. 1" -> "No. 2" -> "No. 3," and there were several different thicknesses of fabric by varying the thickness of the thread.
In the midst of all this, we at Anything have always felt that by returning to the origins of aprons and creating the "No. 1 MAEKAKE," we might be able to see a new future.
So, in Toyohashi, Aichi, together with our master, Mr. Haga, we decided to “revive the thick fabric of the ‘No. 1’ aprons that were made in the 1970s.” After repeated test weaves, we succeeded in creating a thick yet soft fabric that captures the texture of 40 years ago.
Official sales began in October 2011, and the product was unveiled in Tokyo and New York.
Three Features of the No. 1 quality Thick Fabric MAEKAKE
The highest quality "No. 1 MAEKAKE," which revives the thickness that was used in the 1950s and 60s, has three major features.
Tip 1: Weave thick fabric with thick thread!
The “No. 1 MAEKAKE” revives the original thickness of traditional aprons from the Meiji and Taisho periods using a “shuttle loom” invented during that era. It is woven using yarn with a thickness equivalent to “No. 1.5” in cotton yarn count. The fact that it achieves both “thickness” and “softness”—qualities that seem contradictory at first glance—is a technique passed down directly from Mr. Haga. Thick, durable fabric—that is its greatest feature.
2. Soft fabric that fits the body perfectly!
The texture of a woven fabric changes greatly depending on how the warp and weft threads are woven. Unlike ordinary "canvas", the threads and weaving method are carefully selected to create a soft fabric that naturally fits the body.
Tip 3: Traditional colors, colorfast dyes
Dyeing thick fabrics softly with almost no color fading. Anything's dyed fabrics maintain a high ranking in washing fastness tests. Dyeing is mainly done in Tokyo.
