Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten

Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten began in 1716 (Kyōhō 1) from the Nara sarashi trade. In 1985 it launched its first brand, Yūnaka-kawa (遊中川), and since then it has continued making things with more than 800 factories and workshops across Japan, based on Japanese craft. Its stated vision is 'Energizing Japanese craft!' and it operates an SPA (manufacturing retail) business centered on the brand bearing its company name, planning, manufacturing and selling lifestyle tools, and delivering them through roughly 60 stores nationwide, its website and events. It also runs production-area support activities such as management consulting, training the next generation of makers, and exhibitions and events. Its product lineup includes items such as the kaya-weave fukin (mosquito-net cloth dishcloth), apparel such as linen high-density weave tops, and collaborations such as one with Kinchō.

Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten began in 1716 (Kyōhō 1) from the Nara sarashi trade. In 1985 (Shōwa 60) it launched its first brand, Yūnaka-kawa (遊中川), and since then it has continued making things with more than 800 factories and workshops across Japan, based on Japanese craft. The company states that production value in craft production areas has continued to decline since peaking in the 1980s, falling to about one-sixth by 2020, and that the number of workers has fallen to about one-fifth of its peak. It positions craft as a 'yorishiro' that carries on culture, customs and ways of living, and aims to keep craft together with people's lives 100 years from now. Its business consists of an SPA (manufacturing retail) business centered on the brand bearing its company name, and production-area support activities such as management consulting, training the next generation of makers, and exhibitions and events. The kaya-weave fukin was created from mosquito-net cloth, a specialty and traditional industry of Nara Prefecture, as a way to keep the local specialty alive.

A brand that delivers 'the comfort of Japanese living' through craft-based lifestyle tools, valuing both appearance and ease of use.

• kaya-weave fukin (mosquito-net cloth dishcloth)

  A dishcloth made from mosquito-net cloth, a specialty and traditional industry of Nara Prefecture; two layers of kaya weave, thin, easy to wipe fine areas, highly absorbent and quick-drying.

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