A One-of-a-Kind Bag Made from Antique Kimono Fabric: Muromachi Gofukuro
A beautiful, upcycled product with a unique and bold design
Kyoto, a city where the history and traditions of Japan are alive and well. Running through its heart from north to south, Muromachi Street has flourished since the 17th century as a hub for kimono fabrics, developing into one of the largest kimono wholesale districts in the country. Even today, long-established kimono merchants with centuries-old businesses line the street. However, with changes in lifestyle, the opportunities for Japanese people to wear kimono have drastically decreased in recent years. The fine kimono fabrics and obi (sashes) that artisans have carefully crafted over generations now lie unused, unable to be made into garments. In response to the desire of kimono merchants to find a way to repurpose these materials into new, valuable products, the Muromachi Gofukuro Project was born.
Muromachi Gofukuro refers to bags made from kimono fabric bolts, carefully selected in collaboration with kimono merchants along Kyoto’s Muromachi Street in Nakagyo Ward. These bags make use of the unique patterns of the fabric, with each piece thoughtfully designed and created. Efforts are made to minimize fabric waste during cutting, ensuring the production process is mindful of reducing excess material, resulting in one-of-a-kind, upcycled tote bags.
Fabric used for the bags
Features of the fabric
The materials used for Muromachi Gofukuro bags include high-quality kimono fabrics such as Oshima Tsumugi*1, Yuki Tsumugi*2, and Kihachijo*3, as well as fabrics for yukata (summer kimonos), semi-formal kimonos, and haori (kimono jackets). These fabrics have diverse histories—they come from kimono wholesalers in Kyoto’s Muromachi district, where they were shipped to kimono shops across Japan, or they were stored away in Muromachi warehouses. Among these fabrics are vintage bolts dating back to the 1970s, many of which are rare, one-of-a-kind pieces.
2. Unique and Bold Designs
The fabrics used for kimono are a testament to the craftsmanship of artisans from across Japan. Each antique fabric, carefully preserved in traditional warehouses called kura*4, showcases the skill and dedication of these artisans who spared no effort in their work. These fabrics boast vibrant, bold, and highly unique designs—treasures that are hard to come by today and delightful to behold.
*1 Silk fabric produced in Amami Oshima, Kagoshima Prefecture.
*2 Silk fabric primarily produced in Ibaraki and Tochigi Prefectures.
*3 Silk fabric produced on Hachijojima Island.
All three fabrics are designated as traditional crafts of Japan.
*4 Traditional Japanese buildings with thick earthen walls used for storing goods and food.
Craftsmanship behind Muromachi Gofukuro
To maximize the beauty of the exquisite fabrics crafted with care by textile artisans, the design primarily focuses on flat-style bags that showcase their intricate patterns to the fullest.
2. Thoughtful Combination of Materials
Antique fabrics come in a variety of materials, including silk, cotton, wool, and polyester, as well as a wide range of colors. Each piece is carefully evaluated to pair the outer fabric, lining, and handles in a way that enhances its unique characteristics.
3. Design and Durability
The linings are selected with both aesthetics and strength in mind, using washer-processed fabric made of a linen-cotton blend or curtain fabric with a linen-like polyester texture that complements the antique fabric. For the handles, we use Sanada Himo—strong cotton straps traditionally employed in tea utensils and for securing obi sashes, ensuring not only an elegant design but also robust durability.
4. Every Product is One of a Kind
Given the nature of antique fabrics, sections with stains are carefully removed, and only usable portions are incorporated into the products. For larger patterns, the visible design changes depending on which part is used, adding to the unique charm of Muromachi Gofukuro bags, where no two items are alike.
5. Zero-Waste Craftsmanship
Muromachi Gofukuro takes innovative steps to minimize fabric waste during production. For example, large tote and shoulder bags are crafted using the full width of the fabric bolts, while smaller-sized bags are designed to fit two pieces within a single bolt width. Additionally, leftover fabric from creating larger pouches is repurposed for pencil cases, striving to produce items with as little waste as possible.
Track record in Japan and customer feedback
Customers who have purchased Muromachi Gofukuro bags have shared the following feedback:
"The handles are very sturdy, and the bags made from antique fabrics are eco-friendly and have quickly become a favorite of mine. I’m even considering buying another one because it’s fun to choose the patterns."
"It’s lightweight, easy to carry on my shoulder, and absolutely adorable."
- URL (Japanese):https://matsumoto-store.jp/