Something that can be called "authentic" can only be created when time and human effort are generously invested.
K-iwami products are not just items, but are the crystallization of the spirit and skill of our artisans. We would like to introduce each of them to you.

[Kawahira Studio] Masao Kawahira's consistent craftsmanship that supports Sekishu-banshi

Sekishu-banshi paper, from the Iwami region in western Shimane Prefecture, is at the root of Japanese tradition. Masao Kabira runs the Kawahira production workshop there. Today, Kabira continues to make paper by the banks of a clear stream that flows through the mountains.

The raw material, kozo, is steamed, beaten, bleached and filtered. Every step of the process is like breathing with nature.
The moment you hold it in your hand, you can feel its softness and strength. Behind it pulsates the 700-year history of Sekishu Banshi.

They are "fully integrated" paper craftsmen who handle the entire process from growing the materials to making the paper. This attitude is the foundation of their unwavering skills.

Sekishu-banshi was born in Iwami Province, Shimane Prefecture, during the Nara period, and developed to the point that it became a major industry for the feudal domain during the Edo period. In 1969, it was designated an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Japan, and has also been recognized as an Intangible Cultural Property by UNESCO.

Despite this, there are now only four workshops in the prefecture that continue to carry on the tradition. His existence is truly that of a "craftsman who protects the light."

The sheet of paper that Kawahira creates is not just paper. It is a "living material" that embodies the local climate and the spirit of the artisan. K-iwami incorporates this breath into the core of its products.

However, Kabira does more than just work with his hands. He is also passionate about contributing to the local community, and is involved in socially rooted activities such as teaching papermaking through skills courses and papermaking graduation certificates to elementary school students, and working to have the craft registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.

A symbol of this is the fact that Sekishu Banshi paper is used on the tags of K-iwami products. Traditional Sekishu Banshi paper is used on cutting-edge bags and pochettes. This proud use of paper, which connects modern and traditional, is very touching.

[Omatsu Dyeing Factory] The skills of Ryuichi Nakajo, master of Edo Komon and Sarasa

When it comes to traditional crafts, "Edo Komon" comes to mind. It's not just a pattern; from a distance it appears plain, but up close you can see the intricate designs. This is the moment when the spirit of the craftsman becomes the pattern.

In downtown Tokyo, Edo Komon dyer Nakajo Furuichi continues to work on delicate stencils. Nakajo Ryuichi is a skilled craftsman who lives up to his title as a "Contemporary Master Craftsman" by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare and a recipient of the Yellow Ribbon Medal. The "stencil-making" step, considered the most difficult part of stencil dyeing, is achieved by taking full advantage of the weather, humidity, and even the light in the workshop to achieve a uniform finish, a true art.

Furthermore, he applied dyes not only to traditional materials but also to synthetic fibers and leather, achieving dyeing techniques that transcend tradition. His handwritten recipe book is a secret secret of his know-how. It truly seems like a technique handed down from father to son. Upon closer inspection, the fabric appears plain at first glance, but tiny patterns are regularly arranged, faintly emerging depending on the light. This is where the "iki" (elegance) cultivated by the people of Edo resides, and speaks of a modest yet firm aesthetic sense.

No words are needed. "There is no such thing as 100%" - that is why his determination to "always strive for the top" is amazing. At his factory, he has no problem with double-sided dyeing (dyeing both sides at the same time). That feeling is "work done with the fingertips" that machines cannot imitate.

The Edo Komon dyeing technique is an intricate festival that involves repeating stencil dyeing 45 times.

The roll of fabric is pasted onto the board, the stencil is folded over 45 times, and the glue is applied while aligning the "stars" to prevent misalignment. Even a 1mm misalignment would reduce the value. The craftsman's concentration and determination are evident in this precise, always precise process.

Nakajo's workshop is like a museum that also offers dyeing experiences, and by demonstrating his techniques he is also putting effort into nurturing young people and passing on the traditions.

Nakajo Ryuichi is a man who has always been willing to take on any challenge with any material, and has always approached it with a positive attitude, saying "Let's try something" without saying "I'm sorry." He has overcome challenges with blended fabrics and polyester, and proudly states, "That's why our technology is the best . "

That is why K-iwami products are imbued with the spirit of Edo Komon and exude timeless elegance.

[Japanese sewing craftsmen who breathe life into products]

They move the needle silently without taking center stage.
The tension and exquisite finish created by each stitch is a secret luxury that only those who handle it can appreciate.

The beauty of the stitching determines the dignity of the brand.
It is because they understand this that they never compromise, and K-iwami products are completed with this quiet pride.

[ Kiwami as the crystallization of skill – A story that accompanies life]

K-iwami products are a blend of Japan's proud traditions and innovations. They incorporate "Kaminoito® , " born from Masao Kabira's Sekishu-banshi paper-making techniques, the exquisite Edo Komon dyeing techniques of Furuichi Nakajo, and the reliable handiwork of skilled seamstresses. The skills honed through each process ultimately come together in a single form, which is more than just a tool; it becomes a part of the owner's life.

An episode from one busy morning. As you sling a shoulder pochette packed with your work tools over your shoulder, the familiar leather and weave quietly make a statement. The fabric may initially have a crisp, new look, but with the rain on your commute, the coffee table, and occasional conversations, it softens and settles, changing its appearance. Small scratches and slight color unevenness are not "failures," but rather evidence of your daily life. There's no need to be swayed by the cycle of fashion. K-iwami makes the passage of time your ally.

It also makes a striking gift for milestone occasions. A makeup pouch chosen as a promotion gift becomes more than just a box the moment it is received. It is taken out at random moments for interviews, business trips, and children's school entrance ceremonies , and becomes connected to the user's story. When the user looks back on it a few years later, invisible memories will be woven into the pouch, and it will have become a "partner" that goes beyond mere functionality.

K-iwami 's craftsmanship does not pursue efficiency or passing fads. It is our attitude of striving for "lasting value" that enriches the details of everyday life and creates the power to accompany you at life's turning points. Our hope is that our products will gently bear the traces of the path they have walked.

From the moment you pick it up, K-iwami becomes more than just a tool; it becomes a companion that grows with time. Our craftsmanship will fully embrace your story.