"Banshu Ori" is a traditional Japanese dyed yarn fabric.
We have used the craftsmanship and revived this technique to produce a linen fabric which is unique to Japan.
Kadowaki Textile Co. goes back 100years and has now created a new brand of linen fabric to which we have given the name ASABAN.
The flax is grown in our Banshu area.
The flowers of the flax add beauty to this area and then it is woven into linen fabric.
The soft, woven fabric is dyed with natural plants reflecting the colours of nature. Therefore wearing our linen fabric promotes the feeling of being enveloped in nature
itself.
ASABAN is made to be worn in everyday life not just for special occasions and not only in Japan but worldwide.
Because of the high quality of our linen, the more it is worn the softer and more comfortable it becomes.
All our clothing is worn next to the skin, softness and comfort are very important to us
The concept of ASABAN clothing is to make the wearer feel that when they put on our linen clothes they will feel as if they are being wrapped by nature.
Linen is ranked as a top grade of textile.
Its fibres are soft but strong and fine and supple.
It is a very versatile fabric,giving coolness and warmth, comfort and is quick drying
Kadowaki Textile was founded in August 1919, it is a weaving manufacture specialising in the manufacturing of dyed yarn called "Banshu Ori"
(Banshu is the name of this area and Ori means "woven")
We have been perfecting "Banshu Ori" for generations and today we use this dyed yarn to produce linen fabric, using 100% flax for weaving both the warp and weft of the fabric.
The linen fabric is produced under the brand name ASABAN.
Our products are dyed in the colours of nature. The dyes used are all natural using traditional plants. We also use Japanese Indigo dye using pigments from herbs, trees, roots and flowers,
etc...
Wearing natural colours of nature bring out the feelings of living in nature itself.
The colours we use to dye our linen products are influenced by the changing of the Japanese seasons. The colourscan vary with the effects of temperature, humidity, quality of water and the
feelings of those who dye the linen.
I have lived in the UK for 5years and in Austria for 15 years.
During my 20 years in Europe I learned a great deal about different cultures and their customs. I realised that although all people on our planet are different they all have the
responsibility to take good care of everything in their lives.
Nowadays this taking care seems unimportant.
When I returned to Japan I was shocked to discover that people believe that a " good life is one that is full material things and an instant convenient lifestyle.
I create ethical clothing that is long lasting and manufactured with no impact on the environment.
From seed to flax to fabric and eventually back to the earth is key to ASABAN.
I am happy to meet people and share my passion for our linen clothing and plant the seeds of the essence of ASABAN into their minds.