VISION
About us
Protecting the foundation of traditional industries
and discovering
further possibilities of 「silk」
and promote
Japanese craftsmanship.
Founded in 1931, Itoko is a silk manufacturer of white fabrics for
kimono.
Since its establishment, the company has been committed to
Japanese silk,
We continue to weave white fabric for
post-dyeing, which is woven directly from yarn spun from cocoons.
More
than 3,000 patterns have been developed so far,
Today, our
resident designers, who are skilled in Japanese painting, continue to draw
new designs.
We are also particular about cocoons, the raw material of silk,
In 1996, we launched Matsuokahime, Japan’s first unified brand from
cocoons and raw silk to white fabric.
While pure domestic silk is
said to account for only 0.1% of Japan’s domestic silk distribution,
We continue to produce cocoons under contract with the best JA silkworm
farmers in Japan.
We would like to make use of the Japanese sensitivity, traditional beauty,
and craftsmanship that we have cultivated over the years,
In 2012, the company applied silk fabrics to interior materials and
developed its interior decoration business, including “Silk Glass,” an
interior decoration material with silk encased in glass.
We are committed to protecting the foundations of traditional industries
and discovering further possibilities for the sustainable material
“silk”,
We will continue to promote Japanese
manufacturing.
伊と幸の歴史
HISTORY
Established as a “manufacturer specializing in white fabrics
Ito Kojiro Shoten was founded in 1931 in Muromachi, Kyoto as a manufacturer of white fabrics. We began selling white fabrics for post-dyeing, which is used as material for kimono, woven at a leading weaving mill in the Tango region of Kyoto Prefecture.
More than 3,000 ground patterns
The founder, Kojiro Ito, wove the pictorial motifs of Japanese paintings into the fabric under the painting name “Kozan” (meaning “mountain” in Japanese). We continue to take pride in the quality of our cocoons, raw silk, and weaving, and we are dedicated to the challenge of producing silk fabrics that respond to the sensibilities of the times.
Pure domestic silk brand 「Matsuoka-hime」
While it is said that cocoons and raw silk produced in Japan account for less than 1% of the total amount distributed in Japan, we are committed to pure Japanese silk by contracting with excellent JA sericultural farmers in Japan. Our representative brand “Matsuoka-hime” started in 1996 as the first unified trademark in Japan from cocoons to raw silk and white fabric.
伊と幸のこだわり
FASTIDIOUSNESS
I’ll stick to cocoons
A superior breed of silkworms from ancient Japan, as recorded in the 34th year of Meiji era (34th year of Meiji) Matsuoka Silk Manufactory “Hirokoku”. As one of them, “Princess Matsuoka” was known as a cocoon that produces particularly beautiful silk threads. The fifteenth lord of the domain, Tadaaki Sakai, gave the “Princess Matsuoka” a coat of arms, and it became the first unified brand for cocoons, raw silk, and white fabrics in Japan. It is the highest peak of pure Japanese silk, created by the history of 310 hectares of land cultivation by the former Shonai Domain warriors after the Meiji Restoration.
Living with Silkworm Farmers
Japanese people have long cherished nature and lived with it. The shining sun, the clear winds, the pure river water. This Japan still has wonderful terrestrial resources. Silk exists only when it is blessed by nature. We contract with the best sericultural farmers in Japan. We carefully and gratefully use the precious silk threads from the fine cocoons produced by silkworms carefully nurtured in rich mulberry orchards.
Weaving the pictorial spirit of Japanese painting
Our company name “ITOKO” is named after our founder, Kojiro Ito, who was also a Japanese-style painter. Even today, the patterns woven into ITOKO’s white fabrics are drawn by our in-house designers who are skilled in Japanese painting, and ITOKO’s sensibility lives on in the patterns of Syokachirimen, Gomaisyusu, and Tensen-houmongi. Of course, we also accept requests for the production of customer’s original custom orders.
Created by materials and techniques
We carefully select raw silk yarns that are most suitable for the desired fabric, combine twisted yarns and structures, and weave them into the highest quality Itoko white fabrics. Itoko’s silk fabrics are woven at our designated factories in Japan, where every step of the production process is carefully monitored, and we insist on “Japanese silk” with a reliable production history, from design, weaving, and refining to inspection.
Be particular about comfort
Gone are the days when the value of a kimono was measured by the weight of its silk. Now, comfort is more important. Itoko’s fabrics are made of silk that is well beaten, yet supple and light enough to conform to the body, resilient to wrinkles, and look good on the wearer, enhancing the appearance of the wearer.
Pretend to be in a space
Silk is a special material that has always been treated with great care, and many outstanding artists and craftsmen have expressed their beauty on silk fabrics. The history of Japanese beauty is engraved in the history of silk manufacturing. We will connect the culture spun by silk to the future by proposing the story and spirit of the silk passed down in the hands of modern craftsmen as “living” silk in your daily life.
伊と幸の取組み
SERVICE
