Kiryu Textile

Kiryu has long been called "Nishijin in the west, Kiryu in the east" — developing as a representative textile producing region of Japan. In the Edo period, prospering as a silk textile producing region — postwar, while changing flagship products from kimono fabric to women's wear fabric to interior fabric — always standing at the forefront of the era's fashion and textiles.

In 1977, seven weaving techniques cultivated in Kiryu received national designation as "Traditional Crafts." Meanwhile, also actively adopting new technologies — yarn-dye (pre-dyeing), fabric dyeing, print, knit, lace — continuing to challenge the world market as a comprehensive textile producing region. As a result, accumulating many achievements — exports to overseas including Europe, and fabric supply to high brands.

In recent years, Kiryu-unique advanced expressive power has been evaluated — double-weave and fil coupe using jacquard and dobby, material development using paper yarn and metallic yarn, and processing techniques with dimensional feel — orders arriving from collection brands worldwide. Mills and processing plants within the producing region also flexibly accommodate small-lot development — trusted as partners that shape designer ideas.

The "Kiryu Textile" brand operated by the Kiryu Textile Cooperative Association — as a hub binding such producing-region techniques and networks — performs exhibition and business meeting hosting, collaboration projects with domestic and international designers, and information sharing. With pride as a textile town continuing over 1,000 years — continuing to create textiles supporting creation worldwide under the concept "TEXTILES FOR ANY KIND OF REQUEST."

A textile producing region against the background of over 1,000 years of history

The history of Kiryu textiles is said to go back to the Nara period — and in 1977, "Kiryu-ori" was certified as a Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry-designated traditional craft. Even amid shifts of needs from Japanese to Western clothing — as a producing region, continuing to respond to changes of the times — currently gaining high evaluation from domestic and international fashion scenes as one of the world's top high-quality textile producing regions.

Centered on jacquard and dobby, combinable with all materials

In Kiryu, many jacquard looms producing complex patterns and three-dimensional structures, and dobby looms producing fine ground patterns and expressive textures, operate. Of course natural fibers like silk, cotton, and linen — also synthetic fibers like rayon, cupro, polyester, and acetate — plus paper yarn and metallic yarn — combined with print, dyeing, and processing — enabling a wide range of expression.

One-stop response from weaving, knitting, dyeing, embroidery, to sewing

Kiryu Textile's strength is that nearly all processes related to textiles are gathered within the producing region — beyond just weaving — knitting, dyeing, print, embroidery, lace, wrinkle processing, lamination, sewing. From yarn making to final fabric finishing to sewing sample production — integrated consultation possible — responding flexibly and quickly even to fine demands of brands and designers.

Cutting-edge textile development co-created with domestic and international designers

Kiryu Textile actively engages in original textile development in cooperation with brands and designers at home and abroad. In collaborations with VIVIANO and IHNN — special-order fabrics matched to the brand's worldview were developed together with the producing region's mills — gaining high evaluation at Shanghai Fashion Week and European exhibitions. As a producing region combining tradition and cutting-edge — drawing attention from creators worldwide.

Encounter diverse Kiryu producing-region textiles at the Kiryu Textile Memorial Hall

At the "Kiryu Textile Memorial Hall" — 5 minutes walking from JR Kiryu Station north exit — in addition to displays of historical hand looms and textile materials — sales of textile products handled by Kiryu mills are also performed. While touching producing-region-unique fabrics and small goods, stoles, and interior items — you can feel the diverse expression and manufacturing atmosphere of Kiryu Textile.