Company Name
Maruishi Industry Co.,Ltd.
Year of establishment
1990
Type of industry
Manufacturing, sales
Main products
Shinaori fabric and goods
Post code
997-1124
Company address
17-7 2-chome Oyama Tsuruoka Yamagata Japan
Representative
Junko ISHIDA
Person in charge
Kohei ISHADA
T E L
+81-235-33-2025
F A X
+81-235-33-3011
Main selling channels
https://shinafu-english.com/ In-house store, Department store, Gallery, EC site
Available language
Japanese
Makoto Ishida founded Shinaori Sogei Ishida in 1990 to preserve shina fabric for future generations, believing that the fabric represented a true national legacy.Ishida's momentous first encounter with shina fabric, woven in his home prefecture Yamagata, actually happened in Tokyo when he was aged 20.Although finding the fabric curiously compelling, Ishida learned that the future of shina fabric was not looking very bright despite its superior material properties—production was in danger of dying out due to lack of practitioners, and applications were limited to souvenirs and folk knick-knacks.Ishida eventually produced hats capitalizing on the superior breathability of the fabric; and handbags likewise capitalizing on the fabric's light weight and durability after studying the possibility of nationally and internationally promoting this fabric by offering high-quality products that made full use of its superior material properties.He tirelessly studied and paid close attention to style as well, developing and creating extremely stylish fashion items with contemporary sophistication as well as traditional beauty.These products, marrying an ancient fabric with contemporary design sensibility, gradually found their way to department stores and specialist stores in major Japanese cities, leading to greater appreciation of and interest in shina fabric.
Shina fabric, woven from the bark fibers of linden trees (tilia maximowicziana and tilia Japonica) is one of the country's oldest woven textiles.Production from stripping the bark to weaving takes almost a whole year, and all stages are performed manually.Because of its labor-intensiveness, production has died out in all but three hamlets bordering Yamagata and Niigata Prefectures.These mountainous, snow-locked communities survived harsh natural conditions by cooperating with community members to earn their living, to which shina fabric was vitally important—more so than food or housing.There was even a saying that "How many bolts of fabric village women can weave determines how many villagers can survive." Mountain hamlet living was dependent on the blessings of nature, and based on seasonal cycles.Fundamental to locals was the idea that everything needed for living was a gift from the forests and mountains, and that humans were but a small part of nature.This way of thinking was basic also to the coexistence with nature that characterized traditional Japanese lifestyles.Shina fabric, Japan's oldest woven textile, is a perfect embodiment of life in harmony with the natural conditions presented by Japan's mountainous locations, and we delight in our mission of producing products that offer this fabric in contemporary designs.
Brand name
ISHIDA
Product name
Shinaori coaster
Generic name
Coaster
Materials
Shinafu, Cotton
Person in Charge
Kohei Ishida
Production area
Tsuruoka Yamagata Japan
Size
10x 10 x 0.2cm
Weight
5g
Domestic retail price
JPY1,500 (excluding tax)
Coaster with the characteristics of water resistant. The edges and the back are made of old fabric.
Brand name
ISHIDA
Product name
Shinaori book jacket
Generic name
Book jacket
Materials
Shinafu
Person in Charge
Kohei Ishida
Production area
Tsuruoka Yamagata Japan
Size
16.5 x 24cm
Weight
20g
Domestic retail price
JPY6,000 (excluding tax)
This is a paperback size book cover. It has a rough texture so it will not slip when you take it out of your pocket. A paperback book of up to 600 pages can easily fit inside.
Brand name
ISHIDA
Product name
Shinaori musette bag
Generic name
Musette bag
Materials
Shinafu, Synthetic leather, Cotton
Person in Charge
Kohei Ishida
Production area
Tsuruoka Yamagata Japan
Size
22x 18 x 6cm
Weight
Domestic retail price
JPY15,000 (excluding tax)
Shinaori coaster
Shinaori book jacket
Shinaori musette bag
