Kimono Tailoring Company
Koushin
Wasai
Kenkyusho
"Koshin Washi Kenkyusho" was established in 1962 by Akira Ueno as the "Ueno Wasai Gakuin" in Kokura City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
When he was 60 years old he moved to Beppu City, Oita Prefecture to begin his second life and opened the "Koshin Wasai Gakuin". Even after moving to Oita prefecture, he established the Japanese dressmaking association and worked to improve awareness of the traditional skill of kimono making.
In addition, he worked diligently to improve his own skills and devised a samusou tailoring (a tailoring method that does not show a seam on the surface).
1980 "Ginou Kenkou Award" (Oita Governor's Award)
1984 "Takuetsu Ginou Award" (Minister of Labor Award)
1987 "Kunrokutou KyokujituTankoushou", Order of the Rising Sun
Was awarded by Emperor Showa.
Since 1998, he has served as the chairman of the National Federation of Japanese Dressing Organizations for two years, and has trained nearly 1000 Japanese dressmakers over his life. "Koushin Wasai Kenkyusho" inherits his belief, inherits the technique of Japanese dressing, and devotes himself to the development and improvement of Japanese dressing while changing with the changing times.
Kimono Tailor
Nagisa Asano
Born in 1998, and lives in Beppu City, Oita Prefecture.
She has loved sewing since she was a child. When she was in high school, she challenged herself and made various works. Recognized for her sewing talent, she began studying at "Koshin Wasai Kenkyusho" kimono school at the age of 18.
Although she is born with autism, she trains hard with her dexterity and aspiration in order to become a more professional kimono tailor. Moreover, she also produces delicate and tasteful artworks.
Artist and Textile Designer
Ryoji Morimoto
Born in 1994
Graduated from Bath Spa University Textile Design for Fashion and Interior in 2019.
Textiles, which are an indispensable material in our daily lives, play a major role in his work to explore how things disappear, change and arise with time and how this is influenced by humankind.
In this project he tries to explore hot spring culture in Beppu and essential elements of traditional crafts through the Yukata which has a strong relationship with hot spring culture.