They are whispering.
With some brittle sounds and soft fluttering, the fabrics try to take flight. With whistling washi and crisping cottons, throbbing woollens and humming silks, these textiles communicate in a modest, almost indiscernible manner. They seem to be simply resting on these pages, as if in a light sleep, enticing you to touch. Inviting you to take them up in your world of creativity. They convey a sense of normalcy and reciprocity; they do not alarm nor shout out loud. They are discreet and at times almost secret. But upon closer inspection they do behave formidable. They are fine yet robust, sheer yet timid, brushed yet smooth, matte yet shimmering; and seem to combine all contrasts within their inner selves. The fibres are magnificent since the textile makers use hemp, linen, silk, bio cottons and woollens as well as paper. Often combined between animal and vegetal, or rich and poor, or rough and smooth – even in composition, the skills of the region are palpable.

At times the weavings are double, a form of beauty hidden within the garment, or three-dimensional giving volume to fashions. Fabrics also for the home, with beautiful honeycombs and cotton duvets, linen towelling and crinkled qualities, imagined for current simple lifestyles, in search of perfecting the everyday; dusting, sweeping and ironing can each be considered as ordinary moments of meditation. Some rare colour emerges, in wild neckties, strange cut yarns and creative jacquards to compensate for the severe integrity of these weavers, young people that inherited the region’s history and skills but change things around on a contemporary scale, blending the old with the new. Built upon centuries of fabric crafting, the vicinity of Yamanashi is well positioned even in a geographical manner; with Mount Fuji providing a symbolic graphic backdrop to the weavers’ holistic hopes and beliefs, patiently awaiting for seasons to pass, witnessing collections yet to be created, approving of trade yet to be made. A business model that is at once ancient and contemporary, with small companies working on a global scale out of a centralized regional place. A way of working in which humanity is present, altruism flourishes and beauty prevails; an innovative structure to continue the production of cultural cloth on a human scale, an open and hospitable climate where time is slowed down to invest energy and creativity into the process, a path to stillness.

As we suffer from an economic system that is no longer, democratic rule that needs to be reinvented and a planet that is increasingly angry about the way we treat her, our fragmented self is frantically in search of new identities, looking for a way that makes sense. Man will go on a quest for inner peace and stillness, with a renewed respect for what life is after all. A new path to sustainable growth that fits our ailing planet, a step forward towards collaboration and exchange, an innovative society that works and plays at the same time, cherishing the making process, embracing the machine, adulating the product. A stillness that is urgent.

– Lidewij Edelkoort

Looked upon by the imposing Mount Fuji is a famous textile region with a centuries old history; the Yamanashi area has been creating beautiful fabrics for over more than 400 years. Since the territory is located far above sea level it has also been a centre for bathing, hiking, walking and outdoor leisure, where visitors enjoy fresh air from the forest and indulge in the beautiful streams that bring the water down from the snow-capped mountain; streams of water that make it the perfect location for the creation of textiles. The story began in the Edo period, at a time when taxes were imposed by the government. Since Yamanashi is a rather mountainous area, there were not enough rice fields to provide for such taxes, therefore locals started to weave silks, which were lightweight to transport and sold for a high price. The cultural citizens of Edo – the Tokyo consumers – cherished Yamanashi’s beautiful patterned textiles. At that time, the Edo people were affluent but under a strict government policy, were no longer allowed to show their wealth and dress in their exquisite kimonos. Therefore the elite started to use Yamanashi silk textiles as linings, hiding the fabrics’ beauty from sight and staging a silent stance against the restrictive law. Since that day, many novels and poems refer to Yamanashi textiles as a precious form of protest. The region thus thrived, famous for its secret narrative and obscured landscape patterns. Yet after the Second World War, most Japanese consumers started to be drawn to western fashions and therefore the Yamanashi precinct turned to weaving other qualities to fit in with the changing times, such as thicker cloths for cushion coverings as well as inventive men’s ties in jacquard. During the growth that occurred after the war, the region became the major textile production area of Japan; but since recent changes in work ethics and the adoption of a more casual lifestyle, many people no longer wear ties, and once more this remarkable region faces the serious challenges of survival. Since ten years, the industry has started to build up a new and strong identity again. Compared with traditional textile regions that provide kimono or obi fabrics, the Yamanashi area offers a great variety in their textile making techniques. Because this region is located only one hour from Tokyo, they have adapted their creativity to changing trends and demands, keeping at the forefront of culture through textiles. Like the beautiful nature and clear waters around Mount Fuji, they work in wonderful natural textiles such as organic cotton, silk, linen, cupro and washi fibre.The mills continue to design very creative tie textiles as well as polyester umbrellas in jacquard and dobby patterns. What all the weavers have in common are the super possibilities their looms can produce: delicacy and thinness, as well as textural fabrics, expressing the craft and techniques that inhabit these products. Now mainly driven by a younger generation of weavers, fabrics are created with the full use of diverse techniques and narrate the characteristics of the individual weavers, as well as their technology, which will be continued and expanded in the decades to come. Since Yamanashi’s mills have a history of weaving both romantic linings and masculine ties, one can find interesting hybrids in their taste through the blurring of lyrical patterns with a chic dandy appearance. Recently young artists and textile designers have become fascinated by this beautiful region, moving there to create their own small ateliers, collaborating with the weavers to invent a contemporary method of producing, all the while using these traditional techniques. A headstrong and personal approach is the creative result. As one of Trend Union’s special clients, you are invited to explore this region and look for collaborations and business opportunities. While being pampered at the beautiful traditional inns of the region and enjoying the spring cherry blossoms or the changing autumn leaves, you can imagine your next collection inspired by the creativity of an ever changing and moving region. Welcome!

– Kaori Ieyasu,
Edelkoort East

Yamanashi Hataori Region
http://yamanashi-tex.jp

Fujishinkou Co.,Ltd.
http://www.fujishinkou.jp

Gen Maeda & Co.,Ltd.
http://maedagen.sub.jp

Hadachu Orimono
http://hadachuorimono.jp

Hikari Orimono
http://kichijitsu.jp

Kawaei Co.,Ltd.
http://kawaei.neckwear.co.jp/global/

Makita Co.,Ltd
https://www.makita-1866.jp

Miyashita Orimono Co.,Ltd
http://miyashita-orimono.jp

Oyamada

Tenjin Co.,Ltd
http://www.tenjin-factory.com

Watanui Orimono

Yamazaki Orimono
http://www.yamazaki-fabric.com