About us
SOUKIMONO is the shop selling fine vintage kimonos.
We learned that a lot of valuable kimonos are being thrown away, and so we started this business to save the feelings and history behind each kimono.
Thoughts behind our brand's name are three kanji that have the same pronunciation in Japanese.
想 (sou) means thoughts and feelings. We want to cherish that creators put their thoughts into making kimonos, and our thoughts that we want to make use of our tradition from the present to the future.
装 (sou) means to dress. We believe that we can express ourselves through dressing, and we want to be there to help you expressing yourself.
創 (sou) means to create. We add creativity to good old things, and create new value in them.
Our Features
Reasons You Will Love
01
Description
We describe history behind each kimono, and meanings of each pattern which is drawn on them.
02
Specialist
Our buyer is a certified kimono dresser who has been working in the industry over 30 years.
03
History
We run hair salon that established in 1928, and rental kimono business has been over 40 years.
04
SDGs
We collect kimonos which are being thrown away. We also reuse damaged kimonos that can no longer be used as accessories or tapestries.
The Story
Behind the Obi
Wear and Craftsmanship
Every obi we collect tells its own unique story, shaped by time and the hands that have cared for it.
Some of the obi may show signs of wear—slightly frayed edges, gentle curves at the ends, or a slight asymmetry. These imperfections are not flaws, but rather a testament to the life that the obi has lived.
They are subtle markers of its journey, having been tied and untied countless times for special occasions, or perhaps worn daily as a beloved part of someone's wardrobe.
Over time, the material has softened, and the fibers have shifted, creating these gentle, organic forms that reflect years of use and care.
Beyond the wear, some obis may have a slight irregularity in their construction. This is not due to wear alone but also speaks to the era and craftsmanship of traditional obi-making.
Many of the obis were meticulously woven or dyed by hand, long before the advent of modern machinery. Craftsmen of the time relied on their skill and intuition, creating each obi with a subtle uniqueness.
The slight imperfections—whether a deviation in the fabric's straightness or the texture of the weave—capture the human element in the art of obi-making, a reminder that each piece was touched by the hands of a skilled artisan.
These characteristics are part of what makes each obi we collect so special.
When you hold, you're connecting with a rich history of craftsmanship and the personal stories of those who have worn it before.
It's an honor for us to give these beautiful textiles a new life, bringing their legacy from the past into the present, and into your hands.