MAJIKAO｜KYO-YUZEN

Brand

Modern and Interesting Products For the Times We Live In

MAJIKAO

• 2019
• Kyo-Yuzen Dyeing
• Daisaku Okajima

History

Inheriting tradition and applying it to the present

MAJIKAO is a brand born from Kyoto-based company Okaju, a maker of Kyo-yuzen dyed goods that has been in business since the 19th century.

Since 1990, Okaju has launched a series of brands in an effort to expand its techniques beyond the kimono world.

One of them is MAJIKAO.

Okaju's own sample book of lining fabrics for "haori" kimono jackets contains about 500 designs.

The origin of MAJIKAO dates back to about 100 years ago, when Shigesuke Okajima was the second generation.

Shigesuke was a dyer specializing in the lining of "haori" jackets, which led to the creation of this book of lining designs.

The designs were influenced by Shigesuke's interest in various genres of art, and many of them are characterized by a modern style with a hint of Western painting.

This is the reason why the haura patterns produced by Okaju from generation to generation still feel new today, even though they are traditional patterns.

We are reprinting the Haura patterns inherited by Okaju as "sample books" to produce products that add color to everyone's life.

Characteristic

The Time is Now to bring the Lining of the Haori to the Fore

It is said that "haori" kimono jackets were first worn by samurai in the 16th century.

Later, in the Edo period (1603-1867), it was also worn by commonfolk.

However, when luxury was banned from the 17th century onward, people who liked the elegant style began to use vivid patterns on the lining of the haori.

The haori lining pattern was born as people began to add extravagance to the parts that could not be seen.

In the 19th century, with the arrival of Western culture, the lining of the haori began to be painted with vivid colors and innovative designs similar to those in Western paintings.

About 500 designs were created at this time.

These designs have been preserved in Okaju as "sample books.

Some of these designs are classics, but most of them are modern art-like designs and do not look old at all even when viewed today.

We wanted to bring these designs, which have been hidden in the background for so long, out into the open and show them to the public.

MAJIKAO will continue to offer products that convey the charm of Haura patterns.

For Customers

Accessable and Interesting 100-Year-Old Designs

I, Daisuke Okajima, love bicycles so much that I even worked for a bicycle parts manufacturer in the past.

Therefore, our first products were cycle accessories such as bar tape for handlebars and cycle caps.

Currently, however, we are working with various companies to create a variety of products.

Recently, TABIRA's sneakers have attracted a lot of attention.

Their modern, pop design has been well received not only in Japan but also overseas.

We also accept custom orders for one-of-a-kind items made to customers' requests, such as 'noren' shop curtains, etc.

You can see the designs of the lining of haura from Okaju's collection in our showroom.

Please feel free to let us know if there's something you'd like to have made.

In the future, we would like to go back to the original meaning of haura patterns and make aprons and jackets that conceal the design on the inside.

We would be happy if you could experience the fun of the haura lining patterns through our products.