Do you remember the last day you wore a kimono?
I think there are few people who wear kimonos regularly outside of life milestones like coming-of-age ceremonies or weddings. I also have the image of kimonos as "something special," and I feel that I rarely have the opportunity to wear one or even see one in everyday life.
The brand "Takehime" located in the Bikan Historical Area is engaged in the design, cutting, and remaking of kimono dresses, originating from Mabi, Okayama. The clothing and accessories created from kimonos are all stylish items that can easily be incorporated into daily life.
Looking at the remade items displayed at Takehime, the once distant kimonos feel much closer.
I visited Takehime to learn about the new charm of kimonos.
About Kimono Remake "Takehime"
Takehime is located about a 10-minute walk from JR Kurashiki Station, within the Bikan Historical Area.
Inside the store, a variety of colorful items are lined up, creating a space where you can feel the elegance and splendor unique to kimonos. You can take your time to pick up and examine the items.
I had felt that kimonos were a distant presence, but seeing kimonos transformed into familiar items like pouches and eco-bags made me think, "This seems like something I could use in my daily life."
At Takehime, you can also have your own kimono remade.
Even kimonos that you have an emotional attachment to but have no opportunity to wear can be transformed into items that can be casually used in everyday life through remaking.
Additionally, the store sells fabrics for remaking, so you can choose your favorite kimono fabric and the item you want to create, allowing you to order your own unique remade item.
Takehime opened its store in August 2023, but the brand's origins date back to April 2011.
The remaking business started when the beauty salon "M2" in Mabi began making kimono dresses using rental kimonos. Although there was a temporary closure due to the heavy rain in July 2018, it made a comeback with the support of local people.
The name "Takehime" is derived from combining "bamboo", which is a specialty of Mabi, where the beauty salon was originally located, and "princess", which relates to kimono dresses, to evoke the image of a modern Kaguya-hime.
Features and charms of remade items that retain the original beauty of kimonos
The items lined up at Takehime are all one-of-a-kind designs.
Even items made from the same kimono have different patterns depending on where they are cut, allowing you to encounter truly unique pieces.
The kimonos that are remade are often woven from silk, and the smooth texture and luster unique to silk are retained, allowing each remade item to inherit the charm of the original kimono. Many customers appreciate the comfort of wearing them.
I also tried on a kimono aloha shirt, and it was surprisingly light, and perhaps due to the vibrant pattern, it brightened my face as well. I feel that the combination of traditional patterns and Western clothing is quite compatible.
For the care of remade items, you can either send them to the cleaners or wash them at home using detergent for silk. However, since there can be color fading and other changes over time, it requires a bit of extra care to wear them for a long time.
The store staff mentioned,
"Recently, items that prioritize functionality and can be washed without worry in a washing machine have become popular, so I thought the care of kimonos would be a disadvantage. However, I was surprised to find that many customers appreciate it as the original charm of kimonos."
It may be because the extra care makes them feel more precious and fosters a sense of attachment.
Introducing kimono remake items
Here are some of the items that particularly caught my attention.
Kimono dresses and jackets
The first thing that catches your eye when you enter the store is the gorgeous kimono dress worn by a mannequin.
The kimono dress is also the item that sparked the beginning of Takehime's remaking business.
The intricate sewing techniques and the way the hem flares out are filled with attention to detail, and I am moved by the craftsmanship. It is said to be very difficult to connect the patterns to match the shape of the dress.
Along with the kimono dress, I would like to introduce the kimono jacket. The jacket is made from two women's kimonos, allowing for a unique combination of patterns.
The jacket made from a regular kimono (left) has a striking impact, while the jacket made from the traditional kimono "Oshima Tsumugi" from Amami Oshima (right) has a chic and elegant impression.
If you take wedding photos in a kimono dress and kimono jacket, you are likely to capture special photos that are rarely duplicated by others.
Kimono aloha shirts
What the store staff told me was that these aloha shirts are becoming popular recently.
They are also popular among customers from overseas, and purchases began to increase around spring.
The flashy traditional patterns blend perfectly with the casual shape of the aloha shirt, making it easy to wear in everyday life. You can wear it layered or on its own, expanding your fashion options.
With a wide variety of patterns available, it becomes enjoyable to search for a shirt that suits you.
Small items like business card holders and pouches
In addition to clothing, various small items are also being remade.
The kimono shoulder bag has a shape and design that easily matches with clothing, making it suitable for various occasions. The kimono fabric is protected by a clear case, which is a nice feature as it makes it less likely to get dirty.
The inner pouch can be replaced, allowing you to change the design to match your fashion for the day.
While the pouch is easy to use on its own, it can also be used as a bag, providing long-lasting enjoyment without getting boring.
There were also items that seem suitable for business scenes, such as ties and business card holders.
Though modest, they have a proper presence and convey the unique "iki" (stylishness) of Japanese culture. They could also serve as conversation starters.
In addition to everyday use, there are various kimono remade items that seem suitable for different occasions at Takehime.
The kimono remade apparel brand, which attracts not only tourists but also locals, has an interesting origin story.
We interviewed the store manager, Warabino Yuichiro.
Data on Kimono Remake "Takehime"
| Name | Kimono Remake "Takehime" |
|---|---|
| Address | 204, 25-45 Achi 2-chome, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 050-8890-3909 |
| Parking | None |
| Business Hours | 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM |
| Regular Holidays | Monday If Monday is a holiday, we are open Please check the latest business schedule on Instagram |
| Payment Methods |
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| Website | Takehime |
