Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.851

Thank you for your patronage.

I am YUKI, I work as a receprionist of Ichiroya. Yes Ichiroya is a net shop and does not have actual store open for public, but still Ichiro and Yuka thought it is better to have a receptionist lady at the entrance, so I have been here for 19 years. I am a bit dusty because of all the years, and some new staff did not notice me but I was here in kimono, 

I even change to Yukata in summer.

Thanks to all customers, it has been 19 years, since Ichiroya started selling kimono and obi on line. I thank you on behalf of everyone at Ichiroya.

We could not accept visitors because we did not have actual store, but we like to show our back stage this time.

I am happy to take you to a little tour of Ichiroya office,  dozo irassyaimase.

Ichiroya has 8 rented rooms of a little 3story building near Tondabayashi stasion in southern Osaka.

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This room is for photo-shooting. All things listed on the website had photos taken here in this room. No more items are listed, so the lights are put away. It used to be 8 staff could take photos at a time in this room.

We have some obi from kimonotte to finish up, so this room is now used for that purpose.

The next room is where all kimonotte obi, kimono, and accessories are printed.

Obi are tailored here after printing.

6 rooms were used as stock rooms full of shelves. There are only some shelves along the walls now.

Here is the shelf for shipping equipment.

Last check before shipping.

This is Yoko's computer. She is familier with shipping options all over the world.

This is Ichiro, he says he is doing some thinking...... I wonder what he is thinking about.

 Even though we could not meet all of you in person, still through e-mails, 

we received a lot of encouragement and thoughtful words. They meant a lot 

for everyone here.

We only have 12 days until the office is closed totally but if you have any questions about listed items which remain, we will be happy to answer you.

 Please accept  our sincere thanks.

On behalf of all Ichiroya staff,   YUKI

ICHIROYAニュースレター 第226号

あと少しとなりました

イチロウヤのユキでございます。ネットショップとはいえ受付嬢がいたほうがよいということで、ワタクシこの約19年間入り口にいすわっておりました（ちょっとほこりっぽくなっております）時々忘れられてはおりましたが、夏は浴衣にも着替えておりました。

ここまでイチロウヤを続けられたのもお客さまの支えがあったからこそ。実店舗ではありませんでしたので、ここにお迎えすることができませんでしたが、少し裏側をお見せできたらと。

イチロウヤは小さな3階建てのビルの8部屋をつかって　写真撮影・商品倉庫・事務所としておりました。

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ここが2階の写真の部屋・8人が一度に写真を撮ることができました。

今は撮影用ライトをかたずけました。

場所をあけて帯の仕上げをしています

2階の隣がキモノッテの部屋　こちらも仕上げに余念がありません

倉庫の棚もかたずけて　壁面のみに。

発送のための包装台の備品たち

ここでメールのお返事やお電話をうけさせていただいています

背中合わせにパソコンが15台　商品説明や画像処理・色調整も・

社長のイチロウ・考え事してるそうです　どうなんだか

皆様に直接お会いすることはできませんでしたが、メールやお電話を通じて

励ましや温かいお言葉をいただきましてありがとうございました。

スタッフ皆、励まされ、元気をいただいていまいりました。

あとわずかとなりましたが、お問い合わせなどございましたら、お気軽にどうぞ。

喜んでお返事させていただきます。

イチロウヤスタッフを代表しまして　　　　　　受付担当：ユキ

（お礼を言わせてください）妄想です＊＊＊＊

お話しても良いでしょうか？

私：こんにちは、今日はお呼びだてしてすみません。

　　この着物を染められたあなたは、この頃の大変有名な染織家でいらっしゃったにちがいありません。アンティークの着物には落款や名が入っていないもので、わたしたちには誰の作品かわからないのですが。

職人：まあ、落款なんてもとは書画についているものだったし、わしたちの時代は個人の名をひけらかすことはなかったしな。わしもそういうタイプではないしな。

私：今日お呼びだてした理由は　この素晴らしいアンティーク着物をつくってくださったことに　是非お礼をいいたくて。

とにかく「素晴らしい」なんて言葉では言い表せないくらいなんです。

職人：素晴らしいに決まってるだろうが！一体どれだけ時間と労力をかけたと思ってるんだ！

私：実はこの着物には「花の饗宴」と名付けたんです、そして・・・・・

職人：そして　なんだ？　はっきり言え。

私：この着物の復刻版を作ったんです・・・・

職人：何をいってるかわからん。この着物は下絵が描かれて、丁寧に染めて、刺繍もくわえた、みんなの手仕事の集大成だ。お客様のご注文でな。

私：もちろんそうですよね。しかもきっと頼んだのはとてもお金持ちの・・・

職人：そんなこと言えるか！日本男児たるもの、ぺらぺらしゃべるもんじゃない。俺達みたいな職人は特にそうだ！

私：あ、はい、そうです、職人さんたちの技は本当にすごいです。着物がまるでキャンバスのようで、広げてみると一服の絵画のような工芸品なんです。時たま思うんですが、着たときに帯の下になって見えないようなところにまですごい柄が描いてあって、

着物って着るものだっていうことを考えてないような感じがするなって・・・

職人：それ、批判してるのか？

私：とんでもありません、ただただ素晴らしいってことを言いたかっただけで・・

職人：わしたちは仕事に誇りをもって、一切手を抜かずにやってきたんだ。時間がかかろうと手間がかかろうと、細部まで心血を注いできたんだ。あんたらの時代は「効率的」とやらが一番だろうけど。

私：結構話されるんですね。。。

職人：なんか妙なことになってきたな。そもそもあんたがなにか言いかけていたのだろうが。

私：はい、手短に言いますと、私達はあなたの着物のコピーを作ったんです。

職人：なんだと？できるはずがないだろうが。一人前の職人になるまで一体何年かかったとおもってるんだ！

私：説明させてください。イチロウが、あ、主人で、イチロウヤの代表なんですが、この着物を見たときズキュンとやられまして、オークションで競り勝って持って帰ってきたんです。みんなで見たとき、感嘆しました。「美しい」なんて言葉じゃ言えないくらい驚きました。

職人：それでそのイチロウとやらが、高い値段をつけたってわけだ。

私：いえ、売らなかったんです。

職人：なんだかややこしいな。だからなんなんだ。

私：もとのすべての柄をスキャンして、紙に再現したんです。それを布に移したんです。「昇華転写プリント」っていうやりかたです。これが私達が使っている機械なんです：

https://www.kimonotte.com/jp/page/common/pirntpc.html

それが言うほど簡単ではなくて、色がまず難しい、一つの色がうまく行ったと思ったら別の色が違って見えるーー何度も何度も元の色に近づけるためテストを繰り返します。

パソコンの画面上ではうまく行ったと思っても、プリントする布地によってまた変わってくる・・・絵羽模様となると柄が合うかどうか、作る着物のサイズによっても微妙に違ってくる・・・担当スタッフのYukoもAishaも、Yumiも泣きそうになりながら地道な作業をつづけたんです。

職人：そんなことは知ったこっちゃない。要は、あんたらは、それを自分たちの作ったものとして売ったんだ。そういうのを「泥棒」だって言うのをしらないのか？

私：日本では、著作物の権利は著作者の死後70年で消滅します、弁護士にも相談しました。

職人：とにかくあんたらは盗んだんだ。死んでるからって裁判は起こせなくても　化けて出てやることはできるからな！

私：もちろん、あなた方がいなければ、この復刻版もなかったんです。

何が起きているか説明させてください。

昨年、そして今年もアンティークの着物の復刻版を私達の店で皆さんに見せたんです。

そしたら、昨年も今年もやっぱりこの「花の饗宴」が一番の人気だったんです。

もとの色だけでなく、色違いも注文してくださる方もいらっしゃって・・・

職人：え？なんだって？色違いまで作ったのか？

私：実は帯も、帯揚げ、半衿も。あ、ストールも作りました。

職人：あれは着物なんだ、なんだってそんな色々なものまで。

私：だってあの柄は、特別でみなさんに愛されているんです。あなたのいらっしゃった戦前の時代に作られたものなんですが、今でも新鮮で　魅力的なんです。

皆さんがあの柄を好きになってくださって、喜んで身につけてくださってるんです。

私：昨日、事務所でもう一度この着物をよくよく眺めたんです。復刻版じゃなくて、もとの着物です。そしたら、この色鮮やかな花たちは本当に生き生きしていて、生命力に溢れてるんです。スウィングしているかのようにさえ見えたんです。だからこの特別な着物はみんなに愛されているんだってわかったんです。

職人：なんだかよくわからんが、ようするに、この着物の柄が沢山の人に愛されてよろこばれてるってことなんだな？そして、もともとは古くなって寿命があるもんだが、その後もたくさんの人が喜んで身に着けてるってことなんだな？

私：そうなんです。あなたのお名前も知りませんが、これが百年近く前のアンティークの柄の復刻だっていう頃は皆さんがご存知なんです。あなたのお仕事が、今も皆さんをハッピーにしているんです。

職人：なんだかよくわからんが、もう行くとするか。あんたの感謝の気持とやらは　しかたないからうけとっておくか。

私：ありがとうございます。ずっとこのことを伝えたかったんです。そしてできればあの時代の他の職人さんたちにも　あなたからお礼を伝えてもらえたらなあと。

職人：そりゃちょっと図々しいんじゃないか？

あ、あんたたち店を閉めるって？ま、そういうこともあるだろうさ。ま、元気でやりな。

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My imaginary conversation with the craftsman

May I talk to you?

Dear Sir

Thank you for taking your time to come here to talk with me, Sir.

 You must have been a famous dyer of the time, even though we have no clue for the kimono has no labels, no dyer's stamp, rakkan or anything.

(Well, I do not know why I am here for but I hope it is not a boring thing.)

You know, those rakkan, dyer's stamps are rather from a newer age, rakkan are originally for paintings and calligraphic works. Of course, rakkan on kimono takes important role to prove authenticity sometimes, but we know, not all rakkan are meaningful.

(Yes, in my time, individual craftsman didn't think rakkan were necessary, besides, I am not the `show-off' type of a person).

Ok, the main reason I am talking to you is to let you know how thankful we are for the work you did, I mean making this particular kimono.

Hana no Kyoen `Feast of Flowers'

This kimono is absolutely gorgeous, I wish I knew the appropriate words to express the beauty of the kimono.

(Of course,  this is gorouges, how much time and work did you think we spent to make this kimono! Is this the reason you asked me to come all the way?)

I named the kimono, `Hana no Kyoen' (Feast of Flowers), when, we ....

(When you what? Speak out!)

When we reprint and remade the kimono.

(I do not understand. The kimono was designed, dyed and applied embroideries and finally tailored by a customer's order. It is our team-work.)

Yes, of course, and ordered by a woman from a rich family, we assume.

(I cannot tell, it is confidentiality,  besides, Japanese men are not talkative. Talking much is not a virtue.  We craftsmen did our best to complete the work, that's all.)

Yes I noticed, kimono designs are like a piece of paintings, I mean art. When kimono are spread wide, each of them look like a piece of paintings, or  an impressive tapestry. Sometimes I noticed, some craftsmen were not aware of kimono being worn, you, oh, I do not mean YOU, but sometimes the beautiful part of the design are covered by obi.

( Are you critisizing me?)

No, never, I just said what I felt sometimes......

(I do not know what you are talking about. We were so proud of our work, we never slacked off. We poured all our energy to what we do. No matter how much time and effort it took. I heard it is quite different from the way in your time, I heard efficiency is the virtue for you.)

Oh, you talk a lot! I am surprised.

(It is getting strange, why am I getting so heated? Oh, it is your fault, you were going to say something. Say what you need to say!)

OK, we made a copy of your work, in short.

(No, you could not. How long did you think I worked to be qualified fully as a craftsman.)

Let me explain. When Ichiro, he is my husband and the president of our kimono webstore, ICHIROYA, anyway, he thought the kimono was exceptional at his first look. He brought back this kimono from an auction, and we were all bit by the beauty of this kimono. The word `beauty' may not be giving justice to the kimono. It was so full of life.

(So your Ichiro sold the kimono putting a huge price, I assume.)

No, we did not sell the kimono. We reproduced new kimono with exactly the same design.

(It is getting weird, just explain to me.)

We scanned all the part of the design, and reproduced on paper and then transferred by heat, thermal transfer is what we call.

The machine we used is called `sublimation transfer printer'.

https://www.kimonotte.com/en/page/common/pirntpc.html

 It was not as easy as we talk. The colors are so tricky, it took  a long time and many testing to get closer to the original colors to the details. Tailoring was also difficult, matching the patterns at seamlines depending on different size...and so on. Our staff Yuko, Aisha and Yumi worked hard making the deta again and again.

(Umm, and you sold whatever you made as if they are your original? Did't you think it is an act of `shameless thief'?)

In Japan, copyright of the original creater expires 70 years after the creater's death.

We consulted a lawyer also.

(So you stole the design, no matter what you think. I cannot sue you but I can still appear as a spirit to torment you for life!)

I know. Without your work, there was no reproduction. I wanted to tell you about what has happened. 

We made kimono with your design, and also some other design and showed them to our customers as `made to ordr' kimono. 

We received many order from last year, and this year, we included this Hana no Kyoen kimono, which is your design again as summer kimono line up together with other vintage kimono design. 

Again, this Hana no Kyoen kimono became most popular. Some customers even ordered in other color besides the original color one they had.

(Wait, wait, you made the kimono in other colors too? )

Actually we made obi, obiage, and haneri collar also.

(No way,  it was a perfect design kimono, one and only, I cannot remember but I might have made a few of the same design kimono , but definitely not by printing. but dyed by my own hand.)

I wanted to tell you, how much this kimono design has been loved.  People loved the design.

The kimono was from long time ago, before WWII but it is so fresh and so alive.

Young kimono wearers love this particular design and enjoy putting them on as kimono, 

obi and accessories.

Yesterday, I was alone in our office, I spread the kimono to look at once again.

Not the one we printed, but the one you dyed. The flowers were full of life, the colors were so vivid and subtle. The blooming flowers were delightful as if they were singing and swinging. I could know why people were so fascinated by this kimono.

(Is it true many girls love my work?)

Yes, it is true. I have made the short video. I dedicate the video to you to show our gratitude and respect. Also you can check our Instagram to see how many people are wearing kimono, obi and other things with your design with joy.

(I still don't know what you are talking about, but I guess my kimono made many people happy, is that the thing? After so many years?  And my design keeps living even the original kimono gets old and becomes not wearable any more?)

Yes, exactly. I do not know your name but everyone knows the design is from this vintage kimono and they love the design and wear them happily.

Yes, you definitely made many people happy.

(Well, I should be going. I am not sure exactly what you were doing, but I accept your gratitude.)

Domo arigatogozaimasu. I always wanted to convey this appreciation and hope you could convey this to other craftsmen also for us.

(What a nerve!  Oh, I heard Ichiro and you are closing the store. Good bye and good luck.)

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.849

Konnichiwa Minasan, Ogenki desuka?

Rainy season has officially started in our area, and it has been raining off and on all
week. About this time of year, after water was drawn into nearby rice
patties, insects, geckos, frogs... come back to my garden..... realy a
scary sight.
But, it is a party time for my beagle Marin. Marin likes chasing geckos, finding
little jumping insects and frogs all night. Sometimes, I find her all
muddy and dirty in rain.....sigh....
Hope you enjoy some photos of lazy and crazy Marin.

Lazy Marin

Marin in my car

Sleepy Marin

Ichiro & Yuka Wada
Kimono Flea Market "ICHIROYA"
http://www.ichiroya.com

e-mail: info@ichiroya.com
address: Asia-shoji Bldg.301
1841-1 Nishi 1 chome
Wakamatsu cho
Tondabayashi city
Osaka 584-0025 JAPAN
TEL&FAX ****( international number ) - 81-721-23-5446

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.848

Vintage Uchikake #473107

 

Konnichiwa Minasan! Ogenki desuka? 
This is Yoko writing again this week. 
Thank you sooooo much for your responses to my short survey from last week's newsletter. 
It was so much fun reading what our customers miss about Japan and their interests!
Omoshiro katta desu!

 

Many customer said 'one day is not enough!'. Hahaha sumimasen, maybe if you had one week? was it enough?
A customer from Canada said 'It was so nice to just think about all the lovely things to see and do in Japan 
when these dreadful Covid restrictions are all over - and it quite cheered my day to do the survey.'
The responses really cheered my day too!!  Honto ni arigato gozaimashita.

 
Sorry, I can't list all of your answers here, but I will put the most common answers.

 

1) places I want to visit

 

-Shrines/temples
-Kyoto
-Nara park
-Asakusa
-Kanazawa
-Museums

 

2) food I want to eat

 

-Taiyaki/Daifuku/Odango/Dorayaki ( Ok! you guys LOVE ANKO! I got it! )
-Wasabi
-Okonomi yaki (ookini!)
-Mochi

 
3) things I want to buy

 
-Kimono accessories 
-Noren
-Kokeshi dolls
-pottery

-cosmetics

 

4) If you can reach Japan through Ichiroya, what would you ask for?

 

-Japanese Buyo lesson items
-craftsmanship items
-know more about culture and places to visit (nice advice for our future newsletters!)

 
Arigato gozaimasu for all the answers!!!

 
I see that many customers have interests in historical things about Japan like old architectures and traditional arts of Japan.
Some even had their own favorite Ryokan!! Arigato gozaimasu for finding many great things about Japan.

I also noticed that traditional foods like Sushi and Tempura are already available in many countries, but not
many desserts!!!??? very interesting!  

 
I realized that you know a lot about Japan, but I know a little about our customers.
It was such a great opportunity to get to know more about you!!!
Arigato gozaimashita for your time and wonderful communication!

 

 

 

Kimono Flea Market ICHIROYA's News Letter No.847

＃477202 Maiko susohiki traditional hemp leaf, flower circles, and bell design

Mina san! Ogenki desuka?
This is Yoko writing this week's newsletter. Ohisahi buri desu.
I hope everyone is safe and keeping away from the Coronavirus!　Go away!
I am thankful for mine and my children's good health, thankful for my job and being able to keep in touch with our customers!
Minasan, ganbari masho!

The views of Osaka and Kyoto have turned 100% different now.
Flights have been cancelled and there is almost no tourists coming to the cities of Kansai.

I know many of our customers have come to Japan before and know a lot
(maybe more than I know!) about Japan.
Perhaps maybe you had a plan to visit Japan this Spring to view Sakura or this summer to stroll at Fushimi Inari..
Zannen desu...

Imagine Minasan, now that all the flights are cancelled, but if you have a way to come to Japan for one day,
what would you buy or do in Japan? where would you go?

I am soooo curious! to know what do people most crave about Japan!!!???
I am grateful if you would take a minute or two to reply the below short survey!!

1) places I want to visit
2) food I want to eat
3) things I want to buy
4) if you can reach Japan through Ichiroya, what would you ask for??

We will let you know what is the most beloved and missed things about
Japan in my next newsletter!!!
Otano shimini!!

 You may already know, we have our another website `kimonotte' to sell new product based on vintage design (some are from other source). We see so many kimono and obi everyday but still we are amazed by unique and breathtaking design of old and vintage kimono and obi. They are sometimes even more novelity and look fresh after many years! Of course their graces are what we feel most of the time but so much variety of design are never boring.

However, we notice, the designs we like and the customers from abroad like are different.

Here, Japanese customers love Taisho romantic, kawaii (cute) design but you may not feel the same. What type of design do you like? Traditional and auspicious design like pine trees, kiku(chrysanthemums) or cranes? We are really curious!

If you could let us know what kind of Japanese design you like, and if you like to use them in your home, (may be you like the design as one of the home decoration thing in your house?)we will be so happy to hear that.

We have this printing machine to make product like obi, kimono, stole or accessories.

Well, most of the things are kimono-relating things but if you like these design around you with any product, we may be able to offer you:-)

Here are some examples.

Kimonotte product:

koi `carp' obi

Cashmere stole

Furisode with birds

obiage sash

We have a lot more! You can see them in our kimonotte website.

If you find the design you like at Ichiroya website, we like to hear that too.

Here is our kimonotte website:

https://www.ichiroya.com/kimonotte/

And Ichiroya website:

https://www.ichiroya.com/

If you could let us know what type of design you like and what are the things you like to have the design from kimono or obi, we are really interested to hear!

domo arigato gozaimasu for reading our newsletter.

dewar mata, see you again on the net:-)

Follow us on Instagram!!
https://www.instagram.com/kimonotteichiroya/

Ichiro & Yuka Wada
Kimono Flea Market "ICHIROYA"
http://www.ichiroya.com

e-mail: info@ichiroya.com
address: Asia-shoji Bldg.301
1841-1 Nishi 1 chome
Wakamatsu cho
Tondabayashi city
Osaka 584-0025 JAPAN
TEL&FAX ****( international number ) - 81-721-23-5446