Woven by brands –
BATTAN BATTAN, the textile artisans.
Celebrated fashion brands inject their production process with excellent artisanship and play a crucial role in elevating textile technology to the realm of an art. BATTAN BATTAN is a unit of such textile artisans. The name derives from the Old French batant, or press, and refers to the flying shuttle that passes the weft through the warp stretched on a loom. The term repeated twice – BATTAN BATTAN – brings to mind the sound of the weft being pressed on the loom, and encapsulates the textile artisans’ ambition to carry on engaging in dynamic activities. For many years, textile artisans have developed and enhanced traditional techniques while supporting the latest moves in fashion behind the scenes. In recent years, the world is beginning to recognize that their seasoned skills are essential to fashion’s bold creations. At a time when the preservation of traditional techniques is emerging as a global challenge, BATTAN BATTAN hopes to continue meeting the requests of the world’s best creators while presenting its own work and passing on regional techniques to the future.
New Value Created by Fukui’s Weaving Techniques
BATTAN BATTAN is a regional brand born from the collaboration of textile manufacturers based in Fukui Prefecture. By leveraging the exceptional techniques of each company, we develop and produce innovative woven fabrics that set new trends. Our goal is to promote the charm of Fukui’s textiles both in Japan and abroad while preserving traditional craftsmanship.
Characteristics of BATTAN BATTAN
1. A Fusion of Superior Techniques and Innovative Design
The combination of traditional weaving techniques held by Fukui’s manufacturers and the creative sensibilities of cutting-edge designers leads to the creation of unique trends found nowhere else.
2. Collaboration Beyond Corporate Boundaries
The members of BATTAN BATTAN work together across company lines to improve technology and develop new products. This cooperative framework serves as the driving force behind the production of high-quality, creative fabrics.
3. Projects with a Global Perspective
By collaborating with designers who are active both in Japan and overseas, we take on the challenge of creating new textile items. This initiative is a fresh approach to showcasing the appeal of Fukui’s textiles on a global scale.
Our Vision for the Future
BATTAN BATTAN aims to share the beauty of “Made in Fukui” textiles with people around the world. By bringing innovation to the textile industry and expanding its possibilities, we strive to illuminate the future of our regional industry.
BATTAN BATTAN delivers new value woven from tradition and innovation.
History
| Feb. 2025 | Collaborative exhibition with Keniamarilia and VIRUXINY at Tokyo Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi store |
|---|---|
| Jun. 2024 | Collaboration project initiated with VIRUXINY |
| May 2024 | Tatsuo Nakajima and Koichi Kinome join BATTAN BATTAN |
| Apr. 2024 | Akihiro Higashino receives the Textile Technology Achievement Award |
| Feb. 2024 | Collaborative exhibition with Keniamarilia at Tokyo Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi store |
| May 2023 | Collaboration project initiated with Keniamarilia |
| Nov. 2020 | Shoji Yamazaki awarded the Medal with Yellow Ribbon |
| Mar. 2020 | Stole sales event at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store |
| Dec. 2019 | New vegetable dyed stoles are exhibited and unveiled in Vienna, Austria Yamazaki Velvet gives factory tour to overseas apparel buyers Project exhibits in Europe and US textile exports tradeshow |
| Nov. 2019 | Research in new vegetable dyeing with Takashi Masuda (JAIST) receives highest accolade, the MEXT Minister’s Award, at STI for SDGs Awards organized by Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Project joins Cross ArtTech Fashion Show 2019 at Kyoritsu Women’s University Project exhibits in JFW Japan Creation 2020 Masaji Yamazaki is selected as Outstanding Skilled Worker (Master Craftsman) |
| Oct. 2019 | Project exhibits in Hokuriku Yarn Fair Members hold meeting at Isetan Mitsukoshi Nihombashi |
| July 2019 | Yuzo Yamashita and Shinsuke Sawada receive “Milano trend” recognition at Milano Unica (Milan, Italy) Project exhibits in JAFIC Platform |
| May 2019 | Presentation on new vegetable dyeing research and BATTAN BATTAN is held at Kanazawa Castle |
| Apr. 2019 | Shinsuke Sawada receives Award for Achievements in Textile Technologies New vegetable dyeing tests are conducted at Higashino Tokichi Orimono (2nd round) |
| Mar. 2019 | BATTAN BATTAN is unveiled at Japan Fukui Textiles |
| Feb. 2019 | BATTAN BATTAN” press release Project exhibits in HCJ2019 Shinsuke Sawada receives excellence prize at Japan Textile Contest Research in new vegetable dyeing with Takashi Masuda (JAIST) is selected as program celebrating 150th anniversary of Austro-Japanese diplomatic relations New vegetable dyeing tests are conducted at Higashino Tokichi Orimono |
| Jan. 2019 | BATTAN BATTAN logo is established |
| Dec. 2018 | Members discuss branding with designer Masami Takahashi (2nd session) BATTAN BATTAN brand name is established |
| Nov. 2018 | Project joins research in new vegetable dyeing with Takashi Masuda at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST) Project exhibits in JFW Japan Creation 2019 |
| Oct. 2018 | Project exhibits in Hokuriku Yarn Fair |
| Sept. 2018 | Shinsuke Sawada enters Refreshing Leno in Japan Textile Contest |
| Aug. 2018 | Members discuss branding with designer Masami Takahashi |
| July 2018 | Yuzo Yamashita exhibits in Milano Unica (Milan, Italy) and receives “Milano trend” recognition |
| June 2018 | Project receives support under Fukui Prefecture program for collaborative new material development by textile companies |
| June–Oct. 2018 | Members visit one another and present their specialized techniques – Fubisha Textiles (June), Yamazaki Velvet (Sept.), and Higashino Tokichi Orimono (Oct.) |
| Mar. 2018 | Representatives of three Japan Fukui Textiles member companies – Shinsuke Sawada (Fubisha Textiles), Akinori Higashino (Higashino Tokichi Orimono), and Yuzo Yamashita (Yamazaki Velvet) – join hands and launch a new project |