At WASUIAN, we take pride in delivering true "Made in Japan" excellence for customer satisfaction. In this blog, you will learn about the craftsmanship and dedication of our staff at every step of the process, from the selection of quality fabrics to the final finishing touches before shipping.
1. Fabric Selection
WASUIAN's brick-and-mortar store and factory are located in Kiryu, a city renowned for its textile history spanning 1,300 years. It is often referred to historically in the phrase “Nishijin (Kyoto) in the West and Kiryu (Gunma) in the East.”
While WASUIAN’s production primarily takes place in Kiryu, we also source fabrics from historically significant textile regions throughout Japan, as well as from new materials known for their excellent functionality.
This commitment is the foundation of our efforts to create samue that our customers will cherish for many years to come.
2. Cutting
The pieces of fabric that make up the samue are cut from a single large piece of material. This technique is essential for creating a visually appealing look. Some samue garments are made using a method known as "shoulder patching," where the front and back pieces are made from separate pieces of fabric and then sewn together following a specific pattern.
This method, originally used in Western clothing production, is simple and efficient because it allows for using different pieces of fabric. However, it does not keep the traditional silhouette of Japanese clothing.
The beautiful "sloping shoulders" silhouette can only be achieved when the garment is made from a single piece of fabric. This technique is designed to show the elegant beauty of Japanese clothing, which is one of the unique features of WASUIAN.
3. Sewing
A Japanese saying, “Straighten your collar 「襟を正す」” means "Straighten up yourself." As this saying expresses, the collar is an important part of Japanese clothing. The samue from WASUIAN is made using a technique called “concealed seam,” which means that there are no stitches on the collar. This technique relies on the sensitivity of an artisan's fingertips, and it is a highly advanced technique that takes a year to master.
Another technique is backstitching, where in the olden days, Japanese people believed that the seams of the backstitching had the power to prevent evil from creeping up from behind or entering through the back. The artisans at WASUIAN preserve this unique tradition. Other techniques include reinforcing areas where strength is required with “bar tack.”
This attention to detail of the artisans is combined to create a sturdy samue.
4. Finishing
At WASUIAN, whether you are purchasing for yourself or as a gift for a loved one, all products undergo a thorough inspection before shipping. This mandatory process ensures that no defective items are sent to our valued customers.
Members of our inspection team pay close attention to every detail as they prepare the products for shipment. Once the inspection is complete, any wrinkles are ironed out, and the products are placed in special Japanese paper bags or gift boxes.
5. Shipping
Before the box is sealed, our shipping staff double-checks the contents of each order to ensure that everything is perfect.
For both domestic and international shipping, we place a protective paper mat over the products. This mat not only protects the items, but also adds another touch of Japanese expression for customers when they open the box.
For domestic shipping, you may notice that the edges of the tape used to seal the boxes are slightly bent. This makes it easier to open the boxes because the tape does not stick together completely.
These small details are the finishing touches we like to add to the products we ship to our customers.
How did you find about WASUIAN's attention to detail? We are always striving to deliver better products and to promote the uniqueness and comfort of samue.
While we continue to uphold traditional techniques, WASUIAN is also constantly evolving.
WASUIAN embodies the spirit of the old saying, “learning from the past to create the future (温故知新),” by passing on traditions and craftsmanship to younger generations while integrating new technology.
We invite you to discover for yourself the special qualities of authentic Japanese garments and see how they are made with meticulous attention to detail and care.