Look great, and support Japanese craftspeople breathing new life into vintage kimono fabric
Are you over typical designer clothing and looking for something with a bit more soul?
If so, let us tell you the story of Dabo, a new shirt design based on the “dabo” shirts worn at traditional Japanese festivals.
This new shirt from Shiga, Japan incorporates upcycled luxury Kimono fabric, 1000-year old “kakishibu” dying technique, and the passion of all the beautiful people in the local community who make it.
It’s a step up from typical upcycled kimono clothing, and suitable for casual or semi-formal wear.
↓ Scroll down to read the story and learn more about the shirts offered ↓
Join the Early Bird List for $100 off!
Dabo creators Takayuki and Yukari are getting ready to launch sales of the new shirt on Kickstarter, taking pre-orders for the very first batch.
If you want to support their work and be one of the first people in the world to get your own Dabo shirt, sign up to get notified when the project goes live - and get access to a special early bird price of $399 ($100 off the regular Kickstarter price of $499).
The Story of Dabo and SHANARI SHIRTS
SHANARI SHIRTS is the name of the upcycled classic kimono shirt brand started by SHITATEYA-TO-SHOKUNIN in 2023.
The two set out to revive the old Japanese tradition of Kimono upcycling that used to be common practice hundreds of years ago in the Edo Period.
Back then, worn out kimonos would first be sold as second-hand garments, then taken apart and repurposed into sewn toys, rags, or diapers, and finally burned as fuel.
In today’s modern world, however, many kimonos lie forgotten in closets and dressers, their purpose lost as time passes by.
SHANARI SHIRTS began accepting kimonos from people in the community who didn’t wear the precious garments anymore, but wished that they could be loved by a new owner.
These they turn into one-of-a-kind shirts made from either a single kimono, or striped shirts made with the fabric of two kimono.
However, they don’t do the work alone.
They have created a beautiful network within their community with people from all walks of life getting involved to make the shirts.
- Kimonos are taken apart by people who aren’t able to take a typical job, but who still want to work and make a difference, including folks with autism, elderly people who spend the day at daycare, and individuals who aren’t able to leave their home for various reasons.
- The fabric is washed and ironed by elderly ladies who feel nostalgic when handling all the old kimono fabric.
- The patterns are cut and sewn by members of the community who are homebound but proficient at sewing advanced designs
In this way, SHANARI SHIRTS hold a special place in the hearts of not just the founders Takayuki and Yukari, but they also are a source of pride for many in the community who help with various parts of the process.
Dormant Silk Kimono fabric and 1000 year-old kakishibu dyeing
The idea to make Dabo, the festival-inspired shirt offered in this project, came when Takayuki and Yukari learned of a stockpile of luxury silk kimono fabric that had no one to buy it.
Their town of Nagahama is known in Japan as the production area of some of Japan’s finest silk fabric: Hama Chirimen.
As demand for luxury kimono fabric has declined drastically in recent times, the once-booming Hama Chirimen industry has fallen on hard times.
Since kimono fabric is woven with a width much narrower than typical fabric used in the fashion industry, there aren’t many buyers for the fabric other than kimono makers.
The SHANARI SHIRTS team saw the incredible quality of the the luxury silk fabric and knew they could do something special with it.
They gave some to a local workshop specializing in kakishibu dyeing-a traditional and natural dye made from fermented persimmon juice- and created some unique and beautiful fabric that beautifully harmonizes two Japanese traditions.
With this fabric, Dabo took shape as a way to preserve both the tradition of luxury silk fabric production in Nagahama, and the waning tradition of kakishibu dyeing.
By supporting this project, you are helping not only yourself look great, but also keeping several traditions alive in Japan while promoting sustainability.
If you’re looking for clothing with soul and an impactful story behind it, please back the the project on Kickstarter!
Details of the shirt designs:
DABO (unisex)
Fabric: Luxury silk kimono fabric dyed with natural kakishibu.
Handling Instructions:
- Handwash with warm or cold water, using a neutral detergent.
- Please note that the natural kakishibu dye will fade when washed, so please separate from other garments.
- Do not tumble dry
Colors:
Kakishibu (dyed with kakishibu only)
Kurezome (dyed with kakishibu reacted with iron)
TATEJIMA (unisex)
Fabric: upcycled kimono fabric (various materials)
Handling Instructions:
- Handwash with warm or cold water, using a neutral detergent.
- Do not wash with white items. The colors may fade.
- Do not tumble dry
- The shirts are made of upcycled kimono fabric, and can be delicate. Avoid friction with other clothing or applying strong force to the seams.
Colors:
Warm colors (bold contrast) *Photo is just an example, as all shirts are unique
Cool colors (bold contrast) *Photo is just an example, as all shirts are unique
Warm colors (mild contrast) *Photo is just an example, as all shirts are unique
Cool colors (mild contrast) *Photo is just an example, as all shirts are unique
ISSHOKU (unisex)
Fabric: single-color upcycled kimono fabric (various materials)
