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Q1.What is the difference between Yonezawa-ori and other production areas?
What are the differences between Yonezawa weave and other production areas?
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Yonezawa-ori has a long history, starting with linen fabrics and silk fabrics, and is now a production area that can produce a wide range of products including Japanese clothing, men's and women's clothing, and formal wear, including synthetic fibers and composite textiles with synthetic fibers. Masu.
In the field of weaving, it is a production area with technical capabilities comparable to Como in Italy, which is said to be the best in the world.
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.
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Q2. Please tell us about the difficulty of working with triacetate yarn and the reason for using triacetate.
Please explain the challenges in handling triacetate yarn and the reasons for using triacetate.
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There are several reasons to use it.
① To make it a one-of-a-kind material.
②As the main raw material is natural pulp, it is eco-friendly and sustainable.
③Excellent gloss and coloring can be expressed.
We use triacetate when developing materials based on these three factors.
However, since triacetate is a very delicate fiber, careful and time-consuming work and skilled techniques are required to control the LOT from warping to weaving, and to prevent wrinkles during the dyeing process and maintain surface quality. For this reason, each process requires a specialist, and by dividing labor, we are able to achieve efficiency and high quality in 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.
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Q3. We've been hearing about the impact of the coronavirus in many places, but what was it like for Yonezawa Ori?
I hear about the impact of COVID-19 in various places, but how was the market movement of Yonezawa-ori (Yonezawa silk weaving)?
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Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus and the slump in consumption due to restrictions on going out, production volume has fallen to 30% of its peak level. Although it gradually recovered as it started to end around the fall of 2022, it has remained at 80% of its peak level to date. Although there are many problems with production, etc., we will not give up and will continue to develop new products and develop new sales channels by utilizing Yoneori's technology. 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.
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End storyAfter the interview
After the interview.
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Heaven, earth, and people are cited as the factors behind Yonezawa's development as a textile production area.
Ten ...The Yonezawa region is experiencing heavy snowfall and is also a cold region, so I had to choose to work indoors.
Land : Yonezawa has had hemp as a raw material since ancient times, and since then, the area has prospered as a producer of silkworms, and is good at working with natural materials, as well as being abundant.
People : Ever since the great master Takayama, he has always had the patience and tenacity to proactively develop new products.
Yonezawa's craftsmanship is probably due to the long 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.Black Formal By using triacetate as a material, the quality of black can be dyed into a deep formal black. It's no wonder that Yonezawa-ori is used for high-quality black formal wear.
By dividing labor, we can improve quality and planning ability, and because we can compensate for everything at the production area, we can realize small lots, which is a strength that other production areas do not have. That's why Iwasa uses many types of Yonezawa-ori jacquard, and is able to use a wide variety of patterns. Fabrics have been and will continue to be indispensable to Iwasa, which is committed to making products made in Japan. I'm excited and looking forward to 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 commonly 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.