The annual "Kojima Fest #Senisai" held in Kojima features many clothing items, including the representative jeans of Kojima, and is a popular event that attracts many visitors each year.
Due to the high quality of Kojima jeans, they tend to be more expensive compared to other jeans, making the purchase a courageous decision. However, at the "Kojima Fest #Senisai" (hereafter referred to as "Senisai"), Kojima jeans can be purchased at reasonable prices.
We interviewed the person in charge about the history of Senisai and the highlights of this year's event.
What is "2024 Autumn Kojima Fest #Senisai"?
"2024 Autumn Kojima Fest #Senisai" will be held over two days on November 9 (Saturday) and November 10 (Sunday), 2024.
It will take place in the parking lot of Boat Race Kojima, featuring not only exhibits from Kojima's textile manufacturers but also co-hosted events such as the Boat Race Marche.
Please see the flyer below for details.
We spoke with Sueasa Toshiharu and Komatsubara Tatsuya from the Kojima Chamber of Commerce about Senisai.
Interview with the Person in Charge
Can you tell us about the background of how Senisai started?
Sueasa (honorific omitted)
The first Senisai was held in 1955, starting as the "Kojima Textile Festival." It is an event with a history of about 70 years.
At that time, it was not organized by the Kojima Chamber of Commerce. It was primarily conducted by local residents.
The focus back then was more on revitalizing the town rather than on textiles.
When did the Kojima Chamber of Commerce start to take the lead?
Komatsubara (honorific omitted)
The Kojima Chamber of Commerce took the lead in 1974. After the merger of three cities in Kojima, it was held as the "Sen'i Kojima Festival."
When the Chamber of Commerce organizes it, it becomes an event supported by its members. Many of the members of the Kojima Chamber of Commerce are from the textile industry.
In 1974, the apparel industry was focused on "how to hold inventory." However, inventory often ended up being excess. It shifted to a model where textiles were sold at lower prices to raise awareness of the textile industry.
Since then, the name and venue have changed, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, it transitioned to online and decentralized formats (held at various stores instead of a single venue), leading to the current "Kojima Fest #Senisai."
The situation surrounding the textile industry seems to have changed quite a bit compared to before.
Sueasa
That's right. In the past, the focus was on putting out as much inventory as possible and selling it cheaply to generate excitement.
Now, due to changes in logistics, even if prices rise a bit, there is a trend towards valuing quality. Some vendors are even offering products exclusive to Senisai.
Starting this year, the phrase "Zero Apparel Waste! Get High Quality at a Great Price!" has also been included in the top right of the poster.
Differences Between Spring and Autumn Senisai
The "Kojima Fest #Senisai" is held every spring and autumn, but what are the differences?
Komatsubara
First of all, the venue is significantly different.
The spring event is held in three areas: the "Kojima Station Area," which focuses on stage events and sales by members of the Kojima Chamber of Commerce; the "Sanpaku City Area," which focuses on gourmet food; and the "Jeans Street Area," where the THE DENiM event takes place.
On the other hand, the autumn event is held at Boat Race Kojima. This event features a larger volume of both sales and food compared to the spring event, with more tents.
Additionally, the autumn event features a stage that focuses on local traditional culture, such as Kojima Yuga Taiko.
Experience the Technical Skills of Kojima's Textile Industry at JAPAN DENIM DAYS
Sueasa
The events held simultaneously also differ significantly between the spring and autumn events.
The spring event features a sales event for high-priced, high-quality jeans called "THE DENiM." This event was originally held as "Lightning Denim Fest Kojima" and was renewed to start in spring 2023.
The autumn event features "JAPAN DENIM DAYS," where participants can experience the technical skills and high quality of Kojima's textile industry.
October 26 is designated as "Denim Day" by the Kojima Jeans Street Promotion Council, and in 2024, it will be held on the same day as the autumn "Kojima Fest #Senisai."
Have you ever wondered, when seeing brands like Kojima jeans, "Why do these jeans cost tens of thousands of yen?" or "Why do such expensive jeans sell?"
While we understand that Kojima jeans are good, it can be a bit challenging to explain their specific qualities.
Komatsubara
Exactly.
At "JAPAN DENIM DAYS," you can actually see jeans craftsmen sewing and processing jeans on-site. Additionally, visitors can participate in workshops to experience jeans processing.
When you actually try it, you realize that you can't process them as well as the craftsmen. The goal is to help participants appreciate the high level of craftsmanship and quality of the jeans through experience.
While the Senisai at Boat Race Kojima focuses more on affordability, JAPAN DENIM DAYS emphasizes experiencing quality even if prices are higher.
The Appeal of Senisai - Bringing Producers and Consumers Closer
What do you think is the appeal of Senisai?
Sueasa
The distance between producers in the textile industry and consumers is shortened. Before Senisai, Kojima was more of a "place to make" textiles rather than a "place to sell."
Due to this background, producers had few opportunities to hear directly from customers. It was hard to see why certain products sold well and others did not, and what aspects customers liked about the products.
At Senisai, producers can interact directly with customers who buy their products. I believe Senisai plays a role in bringing producers and consumers closer together.
What do the actual producers say about this?
Komatsubara
Producers have expressed that seeing their products sell like this is a great feedback.
Some new entrepreneurs also use it as a test marketing opportunity to try out their products.
Not only are the current producers of Kojima's textile industry creating Senisai, but new textile industries are also emerging from Senisai.
Sueasa
Yes. New winds are entering Kojima's textile industry. There are examples of individuals who have entered the Kojima Industrial Promotion Center's Designers Incubation and are exhibiting their products, moving into Jeans Street.
While bringing in new trends, I believe Senisai is evolving into a new Senisai.
What are the Highlights of Senisai? Be Sure to Visit Sen'i Kojima Manufacturer Street
Among the many attractions of Senisai, can you tell us the highlights?
Sueasa
If you come to Kojima, and want to buy something from Kojima, please visit Sen'i Kojima Manufacturer Street.
Here, you can find not only jeans but also many textile products from Kojima, such as tatami edging and school uniforms.
Tatami edging and school uniforms are among the products that hold a large share nationwide.
So, you can see all these products at Senisai at once.
Komatsubara
Yes. You can acquire them at a lower price than usual, so please take this opportunity to experience Kojima's textiles.
"Good Products at Good Prices" Aiming to Elevate Kojima's Textile Industry
Can you tell us about your future goals?
Sueasa
In this era where clothing can be obtained cheaply, I believe we should convey the goodness of Kojima's textile industry, which embodies the Japanese spirit of modesty, attention to detail, and delicacy.
At Senisai, by delivering the idea that good products come at good prices, we want to protect and develop the textile industry.
I want to further promote Kojima, the number one textile production area in Japan.
Please leave a message for those attending the Sen'aisai.
Sueza and Komatsubara
Gather in Kojima on November 9 and 10!
Although it is a paid service, a shuttle bus will operate from Kojima Station to the venue, so please use public transportation to get here.
In Conclusion
Until now, I had a strong image of the Sen'aisai as an event where "Kojima's textile products can be obtained cheaply."
However, after listening to Mr. Sueza and Mr. Komatsubara, it became clear that they want people to not only experience textile products more affordably than usual but also to appreciate the quality of Kojima's textile products and the craftsmanship of textile artisans.
I hope you take this opportunity to visit the Sen'aisai and encounter Kojima's textile products.
Kojima Fest #Sen'aisai Data
| Name | Kojima Fest #Sen'aisai |
|---|---|
| Date | November 9, 2024 (Saturday) 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM November 10, 2024 (Sunday) 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Location | 88 Motohamacho, Kojima, Kurashiki City |
| Participation Fee (including tax) | Free. Shuttle bus from Kojima Station to the venue: 100 yen |
| Website | Kojima Chamber of Commerce and Industry Website |
