Isshin Koubou is a hand-printed kimono fabric shop which has been in business since 1856.
In Japan there is a technique called “bokashi-zome.” It is a type of gradation dyeing which has a long established history. This is an essential technique used to express the exoticism of Japan. It was invented 1,200 years ago when a Japanese style of culture called Kokufu-bunka prospered. They invented their own style of bokashi-zome called “Fusai-zome,” and they have been creating one-of-a-kind fabrics with brushes every day. Their award-winning pieces and detailed handprinted fabrics are not available anywhere else.
Their fourth owner Kato Yohei was selected as Kyoto’s “Takumi” at the Lexus New Takumi (Craftsmen) Project 2016. Due to his experience as a comic artist at Shukan Shonen Jump, a popular weekly comic magazine publisher, he creates detailed fabrics containing cartoon designs.
They also offer various activities and workshops. They create items other than kimono fabrics as well.