日本語 | English

■ We are featuring Stationery from Feb. 29 to Mar. 30.







Atom_feed
≪ Back 1 2

We Japanese used to wear kimono usually. However, it lately seems kind of exotic. Time goes round, which made this situation. Of course, Masugi is unable to be away from the stream.

U: Our name had been “Ueda Gofukuten” until my grandfather (the 6th) established Masugi. The first was Gihe and the Uedas had succeeded to the name. I heard, however, the 6th was unable for some troubles by World War 2. He combined Gihe with our style “Masuya” and built MASUGI. Though had been a wholesale dealer, we started making business at the 7th for producing our original Oshima Tsumugi.



So natural is fitting the style to the times, like creatures evolve or decrease bringing themselves into line with surroundings. The most important is where it is heading for. How will he drive Masugi and where are they going to go? First, we need to learn him; Ueda Tetsuya since he is a helmsman of Masugi and will take the representative on himself someday.

U: My parents had told me “You are going to succeed to Masugi!” time after time. But I was too young to be willing. I belonged to a band in my school days. My first employment was working at another company related to kimono, not Masugi, because I desired to see Masugi and the products from the outer side. 5 years later, I came back to Masugi and moved to Amami Oshima Island. For 2 years, I had learnt the scene of Oshima pongee there.


Take a look at the below photo, and you can see he wears kimono. Probably, you would guess “It is reasonable, because he is a kimono dealer.” Most of real situations, however, show you they put on Western clothes like suits. I have to ask why he goes against the majority.

U: 4 or 5 years ago, I asked a person “Do you wear kimono usually?” He answered no and said “I hardly find the chance and you don’t wear, either although you are the dealer!” I was so disappointed and then, decided to live wearing kimono any time. The points to adjust on our job came to light when I actually put on kimono. Value of Oshima Tsumugi is, neither being made with traditional craft nor the rareness, found in wearing.

U: The kimono market is shrinking. For growing, to think simply, customers never increase without gaining those who wear kimono. People tend to long to put on kimono only when they see somebody else wearing at streets or magazines, then. So I believe it is also important to wear actually and show.


Ueda Tetsuya
Managing Director of Masugi

Born as the 8th of the Uedas
that have dealt with kimono.
Has moved and lived
in Amami Oshima Island for 2 years.
Now works at their main office in Kyoto.
Establishing some brands like "nono,"
Makes revolution in the kimono field.



His style might look kind of commercialism. No matter how marvelous their technique and skill are, artisans cannot live without incomes. The art is not for commerce. It is impossible, however, improving or keeping up without business. His trial has come to fruition little by little. Born was a new brand for those who wear kimono really.

U: Oshima Tsumugi is very expensive and hard to recommend to those who are trying to wear kimono for the first time. They will get surprised at the price of six or seven figures. A new brand closer to customers needed to build. I established “nono,” then. The price range is about 100,000 yen at the highest and about 20,000 yen at the lowest. “nono” is for women, but we are willing to prepare for men if demanded. Over 95 % of those who wear kimono actually are women.

U: Women’s are more gorgeous and richer in variation on fashion. So there are perhaps a lot of men who are unsatisfied and frustrated. Categorized by the trade arbitrarily, there is a very narrow selection. Men of small stature can wear what for women although they are hard to buy. Unique are most of men who wear kimono, actually. There might be the unseen lode under the field of what for men.


Ueda actually wore kimono and then, got a new viewpoint. That naturally causes the changing of Masugi. How will he drive Masugi and where are they going to go?

U: It is difficult to find the price level of Oshima Tsumugi. A shop sells the one at 200,000 yen and another does at 1,000,000 yen, it is common. There is no manufacturers’ recommended price and it makes such a large difference. I believe it is no good and we should show the level for our customers. So ”nono” does on every product. It is the best that makers, sellers and customers all can feel easy about the one. My ideal is that it sells without any explanation, like usual clothes.



Interview & Text by Misaka Youhei

≪ Back 1 2