Masayoshi Miyake　

Masayoshi Miyake was born in 1942 at Ise city, Mie District, Japan. He has been interested in literature, movie and art since child. After graduating from college, he began working for 'Miyake' managed by his father. He created various unique kimono designs that have many fans. He has his own philosopy for creating kimono, which comprehends long stable history. He adheres to Japanese historical culture, such as being fond of Japanese tea ceremony, having romantic feelings for "Gyobutsu (histrorical treasure of imperial house)" of Shosoin, and being proud of 'Shikinen Sengu Ceremony in Isejingu', which is the historical event continueing from 1,300 years ago.

The Japanese have traditionally regarded silk as a material of great value, and tried to enhance the quality of thread by hybridization of silkworms. Silk is not only “cool in summer and warm in winter,” but also has characteristics of antibacterial and ultraviolet-proof effects. Chemical products like acrylics will sometimes cause allergy, however silk is mild to skin and protective.

The Japanese culture has been in its history a product of harmonious integration of people and nature. The tea culture, the flower culture, the wood culture…. All the materials used in such cultures are nothing but blessings of the nature. Further, the silk culture and the kimono culture are blessings of the nature as well in that a silkworm becomes a cocoon, silk thread, and then becomes a kimono.

Furthermore, a kimono is reusable. A worn-out kimono can be decolorized, dyed in another color and design, and made ready for repeated use. One kimono this way is inherited from a grandmother to a bride, and then to a grandchild. The mind of preserving value of materials realizes such succession over generations.

Kimono is fundamental to the Japanese culture as seen in the junihitoe (twelve-layer robe), in the aristocratic society as depicted in The Tale of Genji, or Noh costumes, and the ‘meibutsugire’ (stripe design cloth) for a tea ceremony.

Kimono connects people with the nature, and people with people.

Kimono is the pride of Japanese people. It has designs inherited through hundreds of years. It will be our utmost honor if people around the world will find pleasure in wearing Kimono.

We will be happy to continue our campaign with emphasis on the advantage of the Kimono culture for the benefit of the ecology and our health, which at the same time is the way to hand over to the next generation the cultural art-designs of two-thousand-year-long history.

Miyake Gofukuya:

2-17-3, Miyajiri, Ise-city, Mie-Prefecture, Japan, 516-0072

Tel:0596-28-3672