PROJECT

Client: Kyoto Chamber of Commerce and Industry / Project Term: 2015 ~

Atarashikimono Kyoto

“Atarashikimono Kyoto” is a project focusing on monozukuri (Japanese manufacturing spirit) to convey a bold message to Japan by the Kyoto manufacturing industry. The long history, creative spirit, quality materials, and unparalleled expertise of Kyoto craftsmanship are further strengthened by contemporary design innovation. These are items that add radiance to everyday life. The collection includes tableware, interior goods, baby products, stationery, fashion goods, and more. Discover the contemporary charm and universal value of each item, as they reinterpret traditional notions of Kyoto.
“Liberation from Tradition” and “Destructive Creation.”
With these mottos as inspiration, Atarashi Kimono Kyoto adds joy and emotion to people’s lives and contributes to the evolving lifestyle culture of Japan.

This project includes TCI Laboratory advisors specializing in retail, mail-order, communication. Informed by the latest sales floor trends, two distinguished product designers together with Kyoto’s manufacturers endeavor to make new products for display at the Tokyo International Gift Show. TCI Laboratory takes part in project planning, production and management.
▼Achievement in 2017
Number of business participants: 14 companies
Number of inquiries & contacts at exhibition: 993 inquiries

Creative Team

In Kyoto, people say “Ee kaza dosuna” (lit. Good fragrance, isn’t it?) to one another when they encounter a nice scent. Onishi Tsune Shoten, a Kyo-sensu (Kyoto-style traditional folding fan) producer and retailer, focused on this unique culture of fragrance. There are various theories as to the origins of scenting sensu fans, such as use of the fragrant byakudan (sandalwood) for fan construction. Now, many sensu fans are given scents and with a single flap of the fan comes a cool breeze with a hint of elegant fragrance. Since bamboo strips are used for the fan bones, the bamboo offers good absorbency and water-retention and just dipping the thin strips into fragrance liquid allows scent retention on a fan for about a year. Inspired by this sensu property, Rie Onishi of Onishi Tsune Shoten worked on developing a sensu fan room diffuser. To retain the delicate structure and elegant beauty of sensu bones, reed sticks were used and cut to the standard sensu size and shape. 10 reed sticks with arabesque cutout patterns are arranged to give the appearance of sensu. There are three variations each of reed sticks, containers, and fragrances, so you can match to your preference. The three fragrances are blended to represent idyllic sceneries of Kyoto: asa-no-midera “morning at Midera temple, hiru-no-kyo machiya, “daytime at kyo machiya house”, and yoi-no-gion, “night time at Gion.” A wonderful gift for fans of Kyoto.

Developed Product Example: KAZA (Onishi Tsune Shoten)

  • ADVISER

    TOMOKO TANAKA

  • ADVISER

    KAZUYA SHIMOKAWA

  • ADVISER

    AKO SUGIE

  • ADVISER

    HIROYUKI KANAYA

  • DESIGNER

    KAZUSHIGE MIYAKE

  • DESIGNER

    SATOSHI UMENO

  • DESIGNER

    HARUNA MORITA

  • DIRECTOR

    KOTARO NISHIBORI