Koto Textile Industry Cooperative Association | Developed linen knit T-shirts of “KONJAC LINEN”, a fusion of 100 years of craftsmanship and street culture

Koto Textile Industry Cooperative | Developed linen knit T-shirts of “KONJAC LINEN”, a fusion of 100 years of craftsmanship and street culture ​
Koto Textile Industry Cooperative Association Press release: April 4, 2025 Koto Textile Industry Cooperative Association | Developed linen knit T-shirts of “KONJAC LINEN”, a fusion of 100 years of craftsmanship and street culture Pre-sale of “Konnyaku hemp T-shirt” at “Makuake” from 8:00 on April 7th (Monday)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/160114/1/160114-1-a399791ad09c304e9e1f601403be445b-3840×2160.jpg The Koto Textile Industrial Cooperative Association (Higashiomi City, Shiga Prefecture), which has inherited the tradition of linen textiles in the Koto region of Shiga Prefecture, has developed a new brand “Konnyaku Asaito” T-shirts that fuse 100 years of craftsmanship and street culture. This is a product that connects the traditions and techniques of linen textiles, including rare konnyaku starch processing, with the culture of the next generation, and connects them to the future. Pre-sale will begin at 8:00 a.m. on April 7th (Monday) at Makuake. https://www.makuake.com/project/konjaclinen/ https://img.youtube.com/vi/sDNc1EiBYKk/sddefault.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDNc1EiBYKk
Product features [Feature 1] Cool and comfortable to wear with breathing natural materials “linen x konnyaku”
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The hemp thread is treated with natural konnyaku starch, which prevents the fluff of the hemp, making it cool and comfortable to the touch. Furthermore, by adding “Le Point dyeing” and “cool processing”, we have achieved a high-quality luster and three-dimensional texture. [Feature 2] Pattern dyeing that changes color in response to temperature/body temperature
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The stencil-dyed design has a street culture theme, and the color changes in response to temperature. A special dye is mixed and each T-shirt is dyed by hand by craftsmen, making each T-shirt unique to the wearer.
Diverse specialized techniques and new sensibilities in linen textile production areas The Koto area of ​​Shiga Prefecture has a long history and has been famous for producing linen textiles since the Muromachi period. However, as the industrial structure and consumer needs change dramatically over time, we strongly felt the importance of preserving traditional techniques, as well as the need to imagine new values ​​and pass them on to the next generation. The development of this “Konnyaku Hemp” T-shirt was started four years ago from the strong desire of Mr. Hideyuki Tsuji (Tsujitomi Co., Ltd.), vice president of the Koto Textile Industry Cooperative, to “incorporate all the techniques cultivated by the region into a simple T-shirt that can compete with the material itself.” Shinya Mizutani (Oomae Co., Ltd.), a young craftsman with experience working for a major apparel brand who is dedicated to passing on and developing the 1000-year-old persimmon dyeing technique, was appointed as creative director, and we worked on development by incorporating a new perspective of street culture.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmopBFyHXt4 ●Uniful Co., Ltd.: Konjac glue processing
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/160114/1/160114-1-a6387b91617b144e5d7fd0f98a52d40c-1920×1080.jpg “Konnyaku paste processing” is the core of “Konnyaku Hemp”. Each hemp thread is coated with glue made from konjac potatoes, a natural material that is also used as a food ingredient. It has a cool and crunchy texture that is unique to the Koto region. This processing, which brings out the characteristics of hemp thread, is indispensable for the production area, but Uniful is the only company that handles it within the production area. This is a valuable technology that only a few companies in Japan can handle. ●Sawasenko Co., Ltd.:
Dyeing/softening processing
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/160114/1/160114-1-7114117946f912f85112d8cc24e37f5d-1920×1080.jpg Dyeing using Sawazomeko’s unique technique “Le Point dyeing”, which dyes only the surface of the hemp thread. By leaving white on the inside, it gives a three-dimensional feel and depth, and brings out the natural texture of the linen. ● Daicho Co., Ltd.: Fabric finishing processing
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/160114/1/160114-1-d709d95525909de7c766092dbce9f881-1920×1080.jpg Cool processing makes the surface of the fibers smooth, giving it a glossy and cool feel. ●Final Shoji Co., Ltd.: Sewing
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/160114/1/160114-1-8a4d8ea71e1ec088c5ad0f3710f64597-1920×1080.jpg Paying close attention to detail, the hem of the T-shirt uses the same sewing method as American vintage. ● Omae Co., Ltd.: Creative direction/hand printing
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/160114/1/160114-1-26d78c649b17db362c97dfc86cf8ce34-1920×1080.jpg Original hand-printed prints intuitively designed with street culture as the theme. A dye that changes color depending on body temperature is mixed, and artisans dye each piece one by one. Fusion of street culture
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/160114/1/160114-1-45bb935cd9a57a4523f4ee76292a3fd1-1920×1080.jpg Street culture is a culture that constantly creates new things and has a free and strong energy. We have the spirit of being creative with limited resources and breaking the mold. The Koto Textile Industry Cooperative’s attitude of creating new value while preserving traditional techniques truly resonates with the spirit of street culture. Creators active in the fields of fashion, street culture, and sports are also participating in the “Konnyaku Hemp” initiative. Going beyond the framework of clothing, we will develop activities that aim for “co-creation of technology and sensibility.”
KONJAC LINEN brand concept
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/160114/1/160114-1-9b4e854018d0c67ec20239fed159650e-1920×1080.jpg The Koto Textile Industry Association’s Konnyaku Hemp T-shirt Development Project in the Koto region of Shiga Prefecture.
Craftsmanship techniques that have been passed down over many years and new techniques that continue to evolve with the changing times. By fusing these two, we pursue an innovative image that goes beyond tradition. In this project, we created T-shirts using konnyaku linen thread with the theme of street culture. “Starting anew with Mastery” Konnyaku Hemp We will connect proud technology and future
possibilities, leading to the next generation of manufacturing. ＜Craftsmanship of konnyaku linen yarn＞ Thread processing (konjac starching) Dyeing (Le Point dyeing/hand printing) Organization processing (cool processing) High-quality linen fabric with a glossy feel while taking advantage of its natural texture Cool feel to the touch and excellent comfort Unique texture that gives a sense of three-dimensionality and depth A one-of-a-kind product in the world thanks to temperature-sensitive dyeing process
Pre-sale of “Konnyaku Hemp” T-shirts at Makuake from 8:00 am on April 7th (Monday)
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/160114/1/160114-1-7999569f8538b0362ed1ebbca207c728-1596×500.jpg https://www.makuake.com/project/konjaclinen/ “Konnyaku Hemp” T-shirts will be on sale in advance at Makuake from 8:00 am on Monday, April 7th. Runs until May 30th (Friday). In addition to the plain T-shirts we developed and hand-printed T-shirts that change color depending on the temperature, we also offer a trial plan where you can dye your own T-shirts.
Future developments ● Exhibited and sold at the Osaka/Kansai Expo On June 24, 2025, Konnyaku hemp t-shirts will be exhibited and sold at the Shiga Prefecture-sponsored event “Discover Shiga, Go Biwako” related to the Osaka/Kansai Expo. ● Exhibited and sold at NOWON At NOWON in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, T-shirt samples made from konnyaku linen have been on display since April. Sales are scheduled to start from the end of June.
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/160114/1/160114-1-560e0da58aa23946caf859d6ee0b5e05-1144×1144.jpg NOWON @NOWON_SG https://www.instagram.com/nowon_sg A cafe during the day, and a shop where you can have a few drinks at night, sell clothes, and hold events and workshops. Based on the concept of “Let’s enjoy today, how we feel right now,” this is a place where people of all ages can gather, including local people and young people interested in fashion, as well as people from children to the elderly. ●Regional revitalization efforts With the development of Konnyaku Hemp, we would like to focus on developing local industries and young people’s human resources. In the future, we plan to proceed with the development of this material in products other than T-shirts, and build a multifaceted sales channel in addition to selling yarn and fabric. We will also establish an education and support system to pass on craftsmanship skills to the next generation, and work to revitalize the region and industry.
About Koto Textile Industrial Cooperative https://www.kotosen.com/ In the Koto region of Shiga Prefecture, which has been known as a production area for hemp textiles since the Muromachi period, the Koto Textile Industry Cooperative has inherited the traditions and techniques of hemp textiles and Omi hemp. We have the characteristic of being able to perform integrated production within the production area, from yarn to finishing (thread processing, dyeing, weaving, finishing).