Fabrics We Use to Make Traditional Japanese Samue
Wasuian manufactures and sells samue made of different fabrics to meet the needs of each season and purpose of use. Even though the products may seem similar, the processes required differ significantly depending on the material used. Our factory makes our products with great care through repeated trial productions.
Our products use fabrics made in Japan. Sometimes, we collaborate with fabric makers to create original materials. We are proud to say that no other brand uses as many domestic fabrics and produces as many different types of samue as we do.
In this article, we will introduce the types of fabrics we use and the characteristics of each. We want to help you learn why we are so particular about our materials and why we're committed to producing only the highest-quality samue and jinbei.
Cotton
Cotton fabric has been used for samue for a long time and is the most standard fabric. We carry a wide variety of 100% cotton fabrics, from lightweight materials for summer to thicker ones for winter.
The charm of cotton is its softness and comfort. The gentle feel of natural material makes it comfortable for everyday wear and sleepwear. Some fabrics are woven by combining different colored threads. This gives the fabrics a deeper coloring and detailing that you won't tire of.
Samue and jinbei, made from 100% cotton, are great for people new to traditional Japanese clothing. They also make great gifts as they're comfortable to wear.
Our recommendation for a cotton samue is the 1051 Tate Slab Samue.
Sashiko-Ori (Stitch Weave)
Among cotton fabrics, Sashiko-ori (stitch weaving) is one of the most distinctive. This traditional Japanese handicraft originated to strengthen garments and improve heat retention during winter. Patterns were incorporated, expressing wishes for a good harvest and to protect against evil spirits.
Sashiko-ori fabric, created by mechanizing the production process of Sashiko, is generally woven with a uniform pattern of dots on a dobby loom. Its durability made it the de facto choice for martial arts wear, such as in judo and kendo.
This fabric has a subtle shading on the surface that plain weave does not have, a wrinkle-resistant and firm feel, and a rugged yet refined texture. We use this fascinating stitch weave for our samue meant for the fall and winter seasons. Please take a look at our options.
Our recommendation is the 1055 Small Pattern Sashiko-ori Samue.
Asa (Hemp, Linen, Ramie)
The Japanese word Asa "麻" is a generic term for fabrics made from plant (cellulosic) fibers, such as linen, hemp, and ramie, mainly produced from the tough bark of the plant's stem.
Although each fabric is made from different plants, their characteristics are similar, such as high air permeability, ease of drying, and lightness. Due to their coolness and crispness, they have long been used for Japanese apparel designed for summer, including samue and jinbei.
The fabrics we offer are characterized by their smooth texture, with as little stiffness and roughness as possible, typical of cellulosic fiber fabrics. Asa is the coolest material in our fabric lineup. If you are looking for a comfortable garment to escape the summer heat, look at our Asa-made samue.
Our recommendation is the 1095 Omi Chijimi Honasa (Pure Ramie) Samue.
Polyester & Nylon
We also offer products made of 100% polyester fabrics, tetoron cotton (TC) fabrics, a blend of cotton and polyester, and nylon fabrics. These functional fabrics are stain-resistant, easy to dry after washing, and wrinkle-resistant, making them ideal for daily work wear.
We use fabrics that have undergone various manufacturing processes to achieve conveniences and comfort comparable to natural materials. For example, polyester samue are popular at traditional Japanese inns and hotels that use them as uniforms because they can be washed frequently to keep them clean, don't wrinkle easily, and are elegant enough to wear in front of guests.
For those who need samue as work wear or are looking for a material that is easy to care for and does not deteriorate quickly, we recommend our garments made of these synthetic fabrics.
Our recommendation is the 5038 Stretch Twill Samue (Hijiri).
Denim
For those who prefer samue with a fashionable or slightly modern twist, we recommend products made of denim. Denim originated as workwear and became popular as a fashion item and everyday wear. This is similar to the role of samue in traditional Japanese clothing.
We have collaborated with Japan's largest denim manufacturer, Kaihara Corporation, to produce several samue garments using their high-quality fabric.
These samue are free from stiffness or roughness, making them comfortable to wear. In Japan, several inns and hotels have adopted our denim samue as their indoor wear for guests. Just like with jeans, this unique samue allow you to enjoy denim's iconic color fading and aging over time. We hope you will try them.
Our recommendation is the 5095 Kaihara Denim Pima Cotton Samue.
Plant-Dyed Fabrics
Traditional plant-dyed samue is an excellent example of the spirit of Japanese culture and craftsmanship in our product lineup. Fabrics dyed with naturally derived materials such as Kakishibu (persimmon tannin) and Kuchinashi (gardenia) are characterized by their natural and soothing colors.
Particularly popular is the beautiful dark blue Aizome (indigo-dyed) samue. Indigo has long been popular in Japan as a color symbolizing victory and good fortune. Long known worldwide as "Japan Blue," indigo remains a special color for Japanese people.
Owners of our plant-dyed samue enjoy how their colors change over time, eventually giving them a charming vintage look. See the options we have available that use this unique fabric.
Our recommendation is the 2005 Bushu indigo-dyed Aojima Samue.
Pure Silk
Silk has long been the primary material used for traditional kimonos. Since silk fabric is delicate and requires meticulous care, it is rarely used to make samue, which originated as work clothes.
At Wasuian, we have combined these seemingly contradictory elements to create samue made of pure silk. Customers who have purchased these garments have commented that they are perfect for dressing up for special occasions, such as inviting guests to one's home or celebrating.
The luxurious feel and gorgeous shine unique to silk make you feel as if you are wearing a top-quality kimono. Those looking for a unique piece of clothing that takes samue to the next level and those with an eye for silk fabrics are sure to enjoy these samue.
Our recommendation is the 8001 Shoken (Pure Silk) Samue.
Quilted Fabric
Our quilted fabric samue with padding are the most heat-retentive among our products. Often worn as relaxing wear in winter, they are also perfect for gardening, and household chores, especially when moving back and forth between inside and outside. In Japan, they are also used by people working in temples and shrines, where it is difficult to keep warm with heaters.
While their excellent insulation provides warmth, they are light and allow freedom of movement. The sleeves and pant hems are elastic, so they keep the heat in and do not get in the way when you are working or doing your chores.
For those who want to stay warm inside their homes during the cold season, these samue will be a great companion that you will not be able to part with once you put it on. Perfect as gifts for those who live in cold regions.
Our recommendation is the 5025 T/C Burberry-woven Cotton-filled Quilt Samue.
Our Commitment to High-Quality Fabrics
Wasuian is committed to using domestically produced fabrics to provide our customers with high quality, comfortable samue suitable for various seasons and uses.
We want to preserve traditional Japanese textiles and manufacturing techniques for future generations. The fabrics developed over many years of research are all excellent and filled with the knowledge and skills of artisans. In fact, some fabric makers we work with have been in business for over a thousand years.
To make the best use of these fabrics, we create each samue with extra care at our in-house factory. We develop samples many times, continuously work to improve without compromise, and sell at fair prices.
Wasuian will continue to deliver samue, a condensed form of traditional Japanese culture and craftsmanship, to the world.