Spreading Kimono Culture with Unprofitable 1000 Yen Bags【Nekotsubaki】

interview

Yuki Nishida

This is a brand that primarily produces fashion items centered around bags, called “Nekotsubaki”. The bags are a very popular product with a high repeat rate.

Yuki Nishida is the woman behind the brand “Nekotsubaki”, which offers a wide variety of Japanese items such as bags with traditional Japanese patterns, Showa era goods, and remade kimono items.

She is passionate about offering items at surprisingly affordable prices, such as the 1000 yen tote bag.

In this interview, we asked Ms.Nishida about her brand and its philosophy, her dedication to her work, and what she hopes to achieve in the future.

Introduction of Nekotsubaki’s activities

——— Please tell us about the brand “Nekotsubaki.”

Yuki Nishida (hereinafter, Nishida): We take old kimonos and create patterns that are suitable for modern times, making them into something that can be worn casually and practically.

Currently, we mainly create bags with a Japanese taste by remaking kimonos. We hope to convey Japanese traditional culture to a wide range of people, from young to old, and incorporate Japanese items into fashion.

——— Do you also remake clothing?

Nishida: Yes, we do remake clothing when we receive requests, but currently it’s difficult to find the time for it since we’ve been focusing mainly on making bags, and many of our customers are looking for practical bags that they can use daily.

Of course, we still make clothes and patterns during our free time.

——— Where are your products sold?

Nishida: We don’t have a physical store, but we participate in antiques markets in Shitennoji Temple in Osaka and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto once a month, respectively.

If we were to set up a physical store, it would increase our costs, so we’ve chosen this way of selling to offer our customers products at a lower price.

The Beginning of Nekotsubaki

——— What was the inspiration for starting a brand of casual kimono clothing?

Nishida: My mother is a practitioner of Noh and has always been involved with traditional Japanese culture. I wanted to convey the beauty of kimono patterns and the value of kimono clothing.

However, kimono can be difficult to put on and not so easy to wear, so I wanted to create something that was both easy to wear and casual, which is how Nekotsubaki came to be.

Also, I wanted to start with something that people could easily acquire, so I began by making bags and gradually expanded the range of products.

The values of Nekotsubaki

——— Are there any particular aspects of your activities that you are particular about or consider important?

Nishida: I want to provide products at affordable prices so that people can get them quickly.

While we now have a variety of items such as shoulder bags, the first item we started with was a ¥1,000 tote bag with a traditional Japanese pattern.

We have not raised the price of this flagship item, and some customers come to our store specifically for this product.

——— Considering the market price for kimono remodeling, the prices for your products seem to be incredibly reasonable, don’t you think?

Nishida: People in Kyoto are often surprised by our prices. Of course, there are other shops that also offer bags made from remodeled kimono obi sashes, but some customers come to us after shopping around at different stores.

Also, when the antique market is held at Shitennoji Temple or Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, I see quite a few people carrying Nekotsubaki bags.

Seeing our products spreading and making people happy makes me feel like we’re doing something meaningful, and it’s not just about making a profit.

While everything else seems to be getting more expensive, it’s tough to keep prices low, but we’ll do our best to stay at this price point as much as we can.

——— Do you have other products at different price points?

Nishida: We have not only ¥1,000 bags but also bags made by remaking aprons used by sake brewers. Some aprons are harder to find than others, so depending on the rarity, the price can go up to nearly ¥10,000.

Impact on society

——— Is there anything you want to achieve or any impact you want to have on society through your activities?

Nishida: I hope that by purchasing our products, customers will bring a bit of Japan’s traditional culture, including fashion, with them when they travel abroad, and spread it to other parts of the world.

There is a sense of something that has been passed down from generation to generation, and even when making just one bag, the way one approaches it is different.

Through our brand, we hope to convey these values and the feelings of the people who make our products.

Future prospects and plans for the brand

——— Can you tell us about your plans as Nekotsubaki (your brand) moving forward?

Nishida: I also display and wear haori and kimono along with bags during sales. Many young men and foreigners often express interest in purchasing or having the haori remade for themselves.

So, I’m putting effort into expanding beyond just bags and into clothing, haori, and such, hoping to spread them.

Additionally, it’s not feasible right now, but ultimately, I would like to expand to overseas markets.

Conclusion

This time, we talked to Ms. Nishida of Nekotsubaki about the brand’s activities, what they consider important in running the brand, and their future plans.

Thank you for accepting the interview, Ms. Nishida.

They participate in antique markets at Shitennō-ji Temple and Kitano Tenmangū Shrine about once a month, so if you’re interested, please visit them in person and experience the gap between the quality of their bags and the affordability of their products.

he latest information on their participation in antique markets can be found on Nekotsubaki’s Instagram, which is updated every month, so be sure to check it out.

Thank you for reading until the end.