A POP UP for "Ryukyu Panama," a brand launched by MAISON Birth in 2019 that handles Ryukyu Panama hats, is being held at Hankyu Men's Osaka until Tuesday, April 26, 2022.

MAISON Birth is a unisex hat brand. With the concept of "Hats to be Inherited," they continue to offer high-quality products by personally selecting and managing everything from materials to finished goods.

Around 2010, the hat designer at MAISON Birth learned from early Showa-era literature about the existence of "Ryukyu Panama" hats made from adan leaves in Okinawa, and that this tradition had been lost for a long time.

Adan is a plant that grows wild along the coast of Okinawa, protecting the local life as a natural barrier against typhoons, wind, and sand erosion. Its leaves and stems are highly valuable, and have long been used to make zori sandals, bags, and other items, making it an integral part of daily life.

The industry of Ryukyu Panama hats made from adan leaves began in 1904, becoming the third largest industry after sugarcane and awamori, and was exported overseas as a luxury item. However, due to factors such as over-harvesting, the rise of alternative materials, and historical events like the Manchurian Incident and the Sino-Japanese War, adan leaves drastically decreased, leading to the decline of the industry.

MAISON Birth revived this traditional technique, silent for over 100 years, and after many twists and turns, launched the rare, purely Japanese-made hat brand Ryukyu Panama by MAISON Birth in 2019. A limited-time pop-up store is now being held at Hankyu Men's Osaka.

The durability of adan leaves, which protect Okinawa from harsh weather, surpasses that of other natural grasses. In fact, hats produced over 70 years ago for agricultural work still exist today, maintaining their original shape without tearing or breaking. If a purchased Ryukyu Panama hat happens to tear, it can be repaired by a "boshikuma" (hat weaver) and reshaped and maintained at the MAISON Birth atelier. The true appeal of Ryukyu Panama lies in its timeless quality, passed down through generations.

MAISON Birth believes that the delicate and beautiful weaving of Ryukyu Panama, along with its history, aesthetic, tradition, and craftsmanship, must not be lost. Rather than treating it as a folk craft, a professional hat designer imbues it with modern, timeless designs, elevating Ryukyu Panama into a high-quality fashion item. By continuing to promote this initiative both domestically and internationally, it will contribute to the revitalization of Okinawa's industry.

The positive impact of reviving Ryukyu Panama extends further. Currently, Okinawa has a high overall unemployment rate, particularly among young people. The revival of the Panama industry can significantly benefit young unemployed individuals, those with disabilities, and others who face difficulties in finding employment for various reasons.

Furthermore, increased employment will lead to improved productivity, consequently requiring more adan leaves as raw material. In the future, by "planting and cultivating" adan, which also serves as a windbreak tree, Okinawa can become a region rich in nature and resilient to disasters, while securing production volume. This is expected to have a positive impact on the tourism industry as well.

MAISON Birth is confident that by promoting Ryukyu Panama, which harmonizes with nature, to Japan and the world, they are implementing a wonderful system that encompasses tradition, environment, employment, and social contribution. They believe it will eventually become as vibrant an industry as it was a century ago.

The POP UP runs until Tuesday, April 26, 2022. On Saturday the 23rd and Sunday the 24th, designer Mr. Kiyohara will be present to take semi-orders for Ryukyu Panama hats. Additionally, the un KNIT series, a project that creates new value from various discarded yarns from knit factories for the 2022S/S collection, will be unveiled for the first time. All are sustainable and eco-friendly projects, 100% made in Japan. We encourage you to see it for yourself.