DESIGN /
PRODUCT
September 24, 2019
HOSOO FLAGSHIP STORE, the first flagship store for the HOSOO brand, opens | HOSOO
HOSOO | HOSOO
A New Hub to Experience Japanese Tradition and Craftsmanship
The flagship store for the textile brand "HOSOO" has opened in Kyoto's Karasuma Oike area. Products from HOSOO, previously only available in select hotels and other venues, can now be purchased here. The space also features a lounge and gallery, serving as a hub where visitors can immerse themselves in the world of HOSOO and the allure of traditional crafts.
Text by WASEDA Kosaku (OPENERS)
Experience HOSOO Textiles, Previously for Luxury Hotels, Up Close
HOSOO, a textile maison renowned globally for its Nishijin-ori weaving techniques, has opened its first-ever flagship store, the "HOSOO FLAGSHIP STORE," to showcase its textile collections.
The store is located in the Karasuma Oike area, Kyoto's historic old town. While the brand has garnered significant support both domestically and internationally, its items were previously exclusive to luxury hotels and similar establishments. Now, these coveted pieces are available for purchase.
In addition to textiles, the store offers a home collection featuring furniture and products that highlight the beauty of their materials.
The store's design is conceived as "craft architecture," with artisanal techniques, including traditional plasterwork, evident throughout the space.
The entrance features a warm welcome, with four colors of earth walls built using "Banchaku," an ancient technique of layered soil.
Lines of genuine gold leaf adorn the black plaster exterior walls. Following these lines leads to the upper floors, where "Nishijin-ori exterior wall material," a world-first, illuminates the store as if pointing towards the future.
The store also houses a gallery and lounge.
The "HOSOO GALLERY" hosts exhibitions related to Japanese dyeing and weaving culture. It will present exhibitions exploring Japan's history, culture, and future approximately two to three times a year, on an irregular schedule.
The opening event, "THE STORY OF JAPANESE TEXTILES – Beautiful Fabrics of Japan –," is currently underway.
This exhibition is centered around a documentation project by Masataka Hosoo, the 12th-generation head of the Hosoo family. He traveled to 33 dyeing and weaving production sites across Japan, meticulously recording the techniques and beauty of traditional fabrics from his unique perspective. The exhibition showcases these findings alongside a collection of textiles.
At the "HOSOO LOUNGE," guests can savor exquisite sweets that evoke the stories of kimonos and crafts, accompanied by carefully selected premium beverages. Both dine-in and takeout options are available.
The sweets are macarons inspired by "kasane-iro," the aesthetic of layered colors found in women's kimonos dating back to the Heian period. Collaborating with Kyoto confectioners, these original macarons offer a rich and nuanced flavor.
Additionally, original chocolates inspired by the store's genuine gold leaf walls are also available.
The "HOSOO FLAGSHIP STORE" offers a tangible connection to HOSOO's philosophy and craftsmanship. It promises to be a new destination for contemplating Japanese tradition and culture.
HOSOO FLAGSHIP STORE
Location | 412 Kakimotcho, Anesakakoji-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City
Opening Hours | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed Sundays, public holidays, and year-end/New Year holidays)
Opening Exhibition
"THE STORY OF JAPANESE TEXTILES – Beautiful Fabrics of Japan –"
Period | Until Saturday, December 14, 2019
Exhibition Hours | 10:30 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed Sundays, public holidays, and year-end/New Year holidays; last entry 15 minutes before closing)
Admission Fee | Free
