Yonezawa weaving has a long history, beginning with linen and silk fabrics, and now includes synthetic and composite fabrics with synthetic fibers, making it a production area capable of producing a wide range of items, including Japanese clothing, men's and women's clothing, and formal wear.
It is a production area with technical capabilities comparable to Como, Italy, which is said to be the best in the world in the field of weaving. Yonezawa weave has a long history, starting with hemp and silk textiles, and now includes complex fabrics made from synthetic and blended fibers. It has become a production area that can produce a wide range of items such as traditional Japanese clothing, men's and women's clothing , and formal wear. In the field of weaving, it is a region with a level of technical expertise that rivals Italy's Como, which is said to be the best in the world in terms of weaving technology.

There are several reasons to use it:
1. To make it a one-of-a-kind material.
②Since it is made primarily from natural pulp, it is eco-friendly and sustainable.
③Excellent gloss and color development can be achieved.
We use triacetate in our material development based on these three elements.
However, triacetate is a very delicate fiber, so it requires time-consuming and careful work and skilled techniques to manage the lot from warping to weaving, to prevent wrinkles during dyeing, and to maintain the surface quality. Therefore, specialists are needed for each process, and a division of labor is used to ensure efficiency and high quality at each process. There are several reasons for its use:
1:To create unique materials.
2:It utilizes natural pulp as the primary material, enabling compatibility with ECO and sustainability efforts.
3:It allows for excellent gloss and color expression. Based on these three factors, triacetate is used for material development. However, due to its delicate nature, careful work and skilled techniques are essential for tasks ranging from warp preparation to weaving to maintain lot management, prevent wrinkles during dyeing processes, and uphold surface quality. Thus, specialists are necessary for each stage of the process to ensure efficiency and high quality.

The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, coupled with factors such as restrictions on outings, led to a significant decline in consumption. This directly affected production, causing it to plummet to 30% of its peak level. While a gradual recovery began around the autumn of 2022 as the situation started to improve, the production levels have stabilized at around 80% of the peak levels up to the present. Despite various challenges in production and other aspects, efforts are being made to leverage the skills in Yonezawa silk weaving for new product development and expanding into new sales channels, without giving up.

The factors that led to Yonezawa's development as a textile production area include heaven, earth, and people.
Heaven ...The Yonezawa region experiences heavy snowfall and is a cold region, so we had to choose to work indoors.
Land ...Hemp has been used as a raw material in Yonezawa since ancient times, and later the area flourished as a producer of silkworms, so the area is skilled in handling natural materials and has an abundance of them.
People ...Since the time of the great ruler Takayama, he has always had the tenacity and perseverance to proactively develop new products.
The craftsmanship of Yonezawa has been shaped by the long-standing history mentioned above. The factors that contributed to Yonezawa's development as a textile-producing region include natural conditions, geographical attributes, and the characteristics of its people.
[natural conditions]...Due to the heavy snowfall and cold climate, the Yonezawa region had to choose indoor work.
[geographical characteristics]...Yonezawa has had hemp as a raw material since ancient times, and later, it excelled in dealing with natural materials such as silkworms, contributing to its prosperity.
[People's characteristics]...Since the reign of the excellent ruler Lord Takayama, there has been a persistent and tenacious spirit in actively engaging in new product development. The artisan spirit of Yonezawa is likely shaped by the ancient history mentioned above.The goodness of black, which is important for black formal wear, can be dyed in a deep formal black by using triacetate as a material. It is no wonder that Yonezawa weaving is used for high-quality black formal wear. The division of labor improves quality and planning, and allows everything to be completed in-house, making it possible to produce small lots, a strength that other production areas do not have. This is why Iwasa is able to use a large number of Yonezawa-ori jacquards and a wide variety of patterns. This fabric has always been and will continue to be an indispensable part of Iwasa, which is committed to making its products in Japan. We look forward to exciting new developments in the future. The excellence of black in black formal wear lies in the use of triacetate material, allowing it to be dyed into a deep and formal black color. It's understandable that Yonezawa weave is used in high-quality black formal wear. By employing a division of labor system, the quality and planning abilities are enhanced, enabling the realization of small batches thanks to the ability to supplement everything locally. This unique strength sets it apart from other regions. That's why "Iwasa" also employs Yonezawa weave jacquards, enabling a wide variety of patterns to be used. Existing and future development alike, this textile remains indispensable for "Iwasa," a brand committed to Japanese-made products. I look forward to exciting new developments ahead.