Category: Culture Move

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Sustainable Living: “It’s not you, but us” 

Mission Impossible? 

We say absolutely not – if we focus our efforts on reframing how we produce, organise and eliminate excess waste from our current modes of production. 

A circular economy is a framework that strives to eradicate waste by designing to reuse and reintroduce. It isn’t about individual responsibility, it is about building a collective understanding and awareness of a larger problem.

There are 3 Pillars to a circular economy:

  • Eliminating waste and pollution by design
  • Designing waste into recycling materials 
  • Regenerating natural systems

Think of a circle – observe how it is a loop and not a linear line. That is essentially how the economy should be designed to function. Materials are introduced, used, then recycled into their basic components to be re-introduced into production. 

So, what does a circular economy look like in Fashion?

A garment is designed to be apparel, at the end of its life it is stripped down to its basic fabrics to be recycled into a bag. The bag at the end of its life will be further recycled into the soles of a shoe. When the shoe has reached the end of its life, where does it go? Back to the producers where the basic components will be reverted back to the original fibre where the process starts again. 

Why all the hassle now? 

The world went through what the New York Times described as the ‘Pandemic Decluttering’. Everyone was forced to look in and make room for work, leisure and breathing spaces all within our homes. This resulted in people excavating receipts, appliance boxes and clothes that have been untouched by last summer’s trend. 

“Spring cleaning” – Our take on a REfresh

It’s become more clear now than ever that as creatures of habits we have some unpacking to do when it comes to making space for the current by repurposing and questioning the hoarded skeletons that have resided in our closets for decades and if they really need to be there.

We have finite resources, finite space in landfills and finite time in making efforts to revive the environment. The best step in the right direction is to consciously buy/mend and source with longevity in mind.

Reality check: We have ways before we make it to this much of an efficient arrangement as money, time and resources for this kind of operation are scarcely delegated with seriousness due to business competition. But in comparison to awareness 10 years ago, we have made huge steps as a whole in the right direction. 

Too much to take in?

The mission is possible if we invest in systems that design an ongoing loop that feeds itself to avoid excessive waste. And that can start from simple daily habits like:

  • Donate to thrift stores and charity shops 
  • Check the garment care labels on the garment and opt for  materials that aren’t mixed with polyester.
  • Get crafty with DIY mending – you can organise a mending group with your friends over tea, or hop onto apps like Sojo to find a tailor near you to ensure that something perfectly valuable isn’t discarded.
  • Set your washing machine at low temperatures (30 degrees advised) to save energy.

What about personal responsibility?

Oftentimes, consumer responsibility is used as a marketing strategy to alleviate the responsibility of 20 companies who contribute to 55% of the world’s plastic waste. These companies are a collective of Chemical, Oil and Gas giants. But amidst the helplessness, there is still hope as people, (including you and us) have been working towards alternative ways of consuming, this can look like supporting local independent businesses. Or, upcycling, mending, recycling. As a population, there has been a steady movement in changing our relationship with buying and overconsuming.

The 4649.REC way:

Our approach to design around wastefulness is to REinvent the old by upcycling old kimonos sleeping in Japanese households for multiple generations. Emotional design is a driving principle for the clothes we make which have the purpose of finding a positive chord to REConnect a preloved item with a new owner who will continue their story. This is a way to design waste away as a form of REsurrecting through RECycling.

Our ethos is RECycle, REvive and REConnect stories within the items we have and give them a new journey to be continued to the next generation and beyond, and we invite you to be part of our journey. Browse through our designs to see how the life of reclaimed kimono fabric has been reimagined by us.

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Spreading love & sustainably with Tatoushi Kimono paper

Have you noticed our products come parcelled in a rich heavy paper, and wondered where it’s coming from? 

This is called “Tatoushi”, a kimono storage wrapper made from Japanese Washi paper, which is used to preserve, package and protect kimonos.

The washi paper packaging is made with the utmost care, sometimes you can feel or see herbal flecks on the outside layer – this is to protect the garment from moths and critters attracted to the natural silk packaged inside. Some even use essential oils for extra protection. 

This is how kimonos have been kept in good condition tucked away in our wardrobes for decades without ever being worn again. There are an estimated 800 million kimonos sleeping in the cupboards of modern-day Japanese households and that is why we began REpurpose and REinvent how we honour pre-loved kimonos in our modern daily lifestyle. 

Do you have Kimonos to donate? Or want to get in touch? Connect with us here

What is it made from?

Fibre isn’t just good for your health but also makes for strong paper – pulp such as Kozo (mulberry), gampi or hemp is distributed in the paper mould so the fibres intertwine and pressurise to make for a stronger almost fabric-like material. 

The REC way: REusing Tatoushi to wrap our products

The great thing about paper is that it can be RECycled, UPcyled and REinvented: one of our favourite ways to champion Tatoushi paper is to use it as wrapping paper for our large items, as well as price tags and some stationery products.

And sometimes we use it to craft beautiful origami art that honours traditional Japanese forms.

We have greeting cards that feature Tatoush cranes:

Midori Moss Aloha shirt and matching Tatoushi greeting card

These unique shapes and values are speckled throughout our story as reminders of the philosophy and symbolism behind our Japanese-centric ethos. 

. 

Origami crane to celebrate and bring prosperity to the New Year  :

Setsubun marks the seasonal division when Spring start in Japan where “Mamemaki” (bean throwing) is used to deter evil spirits away:

Origami Heart :

As the season of Valentines approaching and in true REC fashion, we would love to celebrate all kinds of love and connections with you through a heart origami.

Our committment:

We use sustainable kimono packaging as a nod to our roots and further commitment to sustainable practice. REvisiting the way things can be, through upcycling or recycling what you already have, you can now use fabric scraps to make trains of cranes to bring you luck and a way to wind down. 

Tatoushi crane greeting cards

It is the perfect time to evaluate and nurture the different kinds of love you have brought into this new year with. We too have been growing our beloved bespoke collection.

Regardless of what month it is, we believe life is about reaching above and beyond, diving into self-love, discovery and nurturing what connects us to a deeper-rooted love that allows us to REConnect amidst our whirlwind lives every single day. 

#Yoroshiku

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Celebrating the day of ‘adulthood’ with Kimono

 🍶Happy Seijun no hi 

Seijin no Hi (成人の日), known as the Coming-of-age day, known as the Coming-of-age day is a national holiday to celebrate a whole generation turning 18 years old (previously was 20), a commemoration of their new beginnings as an adult.

What’s the deal? 

This is our statement denim jacket, ‘Flower Wall’ made from Yumi’s Mother’s very own Kimono Obi from her Coming of age ceremony from decades ago.

Naturally, this beautiful fabric would not have seen the day of light had it not been for Yumi upcycling her mother’s vintage silk Obi.

 Due to the speciality of the fabric, Yumi has also upcycled it into a lampshade for her bedroom, as well as framing the remaining square of her mother’s kimono as a soulful reminder of how the brand was started. 

credit: KTW photographer

Today, the second Monday of January is an important welcome to their newfound adulthood, entry into society and the responsibilities that come with a new milestone. A day where the young adults of Japan are encouraged to embrace the marking of their reached maturity and a sense of belonging into a new phase of their lives, leaving behind their adolescence.

Coming of age ceremonies have been celebrated in Japan since 714 CE and one of the highlights of the day is the beautiful traditional furisode kimono – a long sleeve style of kimono distinguishable by its long sleeves, worn by young women.  And traditional Hakama, or western suit for the young men. Kimono rental services, stylists and traditional makeup/ hairdressers are all booked and busy for the masses of young adults on the big day. 

👘 Rental Kimono?

Yes, you heard correctly. Traditional kimonos, especially ones worn for special ceremonies are mostly made from pure Japanese silk, something you cannot wear for all kinds of occasions so newer generations are increasingly deciding to opt for rentals as this is the cheaper and more sustainable approach. 

However…

There are still thousands of kimonos tucked away into the quiet corners of the Japanese households as the heavy silk is deemed too extravagant for everyday wear. What a waste, no?

🕊️ The REC way :

Following the motto of “Mottainai”- ‘no waste’,  4649.REC found a way to customize and grant these special fabrics a new life.

This is why the new floor lamps and lampshades made with colourful silk Obis are ingenious additions to the 4649.REC range of bespoke upcycled products. 

credit: KTWPhotographer
credit: @kendal___eline

🧡 We wanted to REConnect with the very pieces of our culture that celebrate a new beginning in life and proudly use them in our daily lives instead of it being wrapped up in dark corners.

🙏

There are precious stories of youth and memories of a day that commemorates a young person’s journey into adulthood within the seams of their kimono. One of the commitments of the REC way is to REinvigorate by REConstructing something you can appreciate every day alongside the roots of its history. 

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Post-Kimono Talk: How is it the Ultimate Sustainable Wear?

Sake, Hot Tea, and Kimono Enthusiasts: RECap of the event

On the evening 25th of November at our 88 Regent street sustainable concept store, we hosted a Kimono Talk with Furikoyokimono store and Shoko Tanoue; local kimono experts and stylists who like us, incorporate the philosophy and eco-friendly practices of the Kimono in our everyday modern life. 

We opened our doors and welcomed many guests with sake, and hot tea provided by LabTonica – our neighbouring sustainable wellness brand. We were elated to receive such an audience who were invested in the sustainability of the Kimono.

Why is Kimono the ultimate sustainable wear? 

The (vintage) Kimono is sustainable because of how it is handled, the materials that are used to make it (100% cotton or silk) and the socio-cultural practices of how the Kimono is used/ passed down generations. 

kimono fabrics from furukiyokimono
kimono displayed from furukiyokimono

Kimonos can be described as a one size fits all because the T-pattern cut of the cloth allows for additional panels to adjust to the length, or girth of the wearer. Carrying on from that, the kimono is also made to be unstitched so it can be cleaned and restitched, allowing room for repurposing and better care of the garment. This was demonstrated in the event. 

Many generalise sustainability to bio-degradable materials etc, but it is also a way of living, Mottainai means to ‘Not to waste’, a popular saying within Japanese households that encourages the ultimate extension of an objects life. 

Rundown of the cozy Evening talk:

Sonoe Sugawara from Furukiyokimono store introduced us to the multi-faceted dimensions of the kimono: the many ways it is unstitched for different bodies, for cleaning and preserving material colour and life.

Shoko Tanoue, a kimono stylist who had moved to London during the pandemic and the endemic of racial discrimination towards Asian Hate, demonstrated how she adorns her culture proudly in London using beautiful ornate kimonos. The demonstration invited guests to see how the kimono or obi could be worn on their bodies.

4649.REC hosted the event in our 88 Regent Street concept store where guests had the opportunity to browse through our bespoke upcycled kimono garments, and products while exploring the vintage kimono collection from FurukiyoKimono selection. 

It was a delightful evening of chats, conversations and lovely to say #Yoroshiku to people who wanted to learn about the versatility/ sustainable philosophies of Japanese culture through the Kimono.  

After all, REConnecting, REkindling and REimagining our cultural traditions with one another is a way to weave a united story.  With that in mind, we are looking forward to REConnecting with you again soon for another event. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CW1YPw4DbUr/

With that in mind, keep your eyes peeled 👀as we have something cooking for another event

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Celebrating Japan Culture day In London: Is it possible?

Absolutely. And let us show you how

If you’re looking to immerse yourself into Japanese culture there’s no better day than the 3rd of November which marks the national holiday of Culture day in Japan. The significance of this day is to celebrate the Arts, Culture, and Academic endeavours that have moulded Japanese society to the current day. 

Originally the 3rd of November was a holiday held in honour of the reigning emperor’s Birthday, Emperor Meiji, from the year 1868 to 1912. After his passing, it ceased to be celebrated, until 1948 when the government announced that the 3rd of November would be a day to celebrate Culture day.

Fun fact: it falls statistically on the clearest days of the year.

Therefore we have curated a trail in London that will transport you all the way over the pacific ocean and give you a Japan Culture day experience through Food, Culture and Hot Spots that we have planned out for you down below: 

Start your day off with a morning of Iconic Japanese art. The British Museum is showcasing Katsushika Hokusai’s, the famous Ukiyo-e and woodblock printer’s unpublished drawings. You may know him from his most popular prints, ‘The Great Wave of Kanagawa’. Grab yourself some tickets and experience the exceptional work of Hokusai and a chance to veer into 19th Century Japan.

This bespoke jacket is available at our pop-up store 88 Regent street, there’s only one of these so grab this while you can.

Japan’s popular festival treat and Street Food : Okonomiyaki

Only a short 4-minute walk from the British Museum you can find yourself salivating over The restaurant Abeno’s okonomiyaki restaurant where you can fashionably indulge over their popular savoury pancakes. Okonomiyaki is a street-food style dish and a festival favourite. 

credit: wiki commons

You can continue your evening with a walk through the Kyoto Gardens in Holland Park where you will be invited to the serenity of a Japanese garden accompanied by a gentle waterfall and a stone bridge to hop across.

Next stop: A scenic walk through Kyoto Gardens

The serene pond of Kyoto gardens (photo: Pollobi Ferdousi)
Resident peacock of Kyoto Garden (photo: Pollobi Ferdousi

Worry not: There’s more

If you want more, worry not, we have a bunch of suggestions down below of more places to eat, shop, and visit in London:

Get cosy with a visit to Japanese food and drink shop, The Rice Wine shop on Brewer street who not only specialise in a delicious assortment of sake and wines but continental essentials for Japanese cuisine that you will definitely want in your spice cupboards.

If you’re looking for a spot to satisfy a sweet tooth, look no further as RISE Japanese bakery and bar has a beautiful variety of Japanese Sweet and savoury bread. They specialise in serving the best Japanese bakery goods that you wouldn’t expect to find in London. 

Speaking of sweet, Tsujiri Matcha House is a compact cafe serving up an amazing spread of desserts ranging from matcha teas, icecreams and bubble tea. Everything you would want in one place. Only an 8 minute walk away you will find us at 88 Regent Street, so come find us along the trail of Japanese dessert shops and rice wine stores where we are situated near the heart of many Japanese hot spots. 

credit: @rise_bakery_bar

End the day with gratitude and a visit to our Pop-up store @ 88 Regent Street

We love culture and Art. They are the very aspects of life that mould our sensibilities and showcase our rich histories. It is important that all cultures are celebrated and championed without discrimination. If the pandemic has taught us something, it’s that Hate never prevails as community and culture REC-onnect us with the important things in life. Food, art and culture are sources of comfort, innovation and stories that root us down and lead to a more constructive future.  So no matter your background, you are rooted in the human-ness of being able to connect, construct and imagine a future with one another. In light of the past year, check out the link for resources to #StopAsianHate. 

We welcome you to our pop-up concept store 88 Regent Street where we can offer you onsite-customisations, a browse through our one-of-a-kind sustainable pieces or even a friendly Yoroshiku. 

There’s more: 

Did you miss our spooky post about Japanese Folklore? 

Check out our Spooky post on Japanese folklore: for Halloween

If you want more, we have a bunch of suggestions for more places to eat, shop, and visit in London in our next Blog: ‘Finding Japan In London: Community hotspots’. The blog will be coming soon. 

We believe in RE-connecting but also introducing you to new things as this helps build a cohesive society where we can enjoy things from different cultures. To rejuvenate yourself as we have more coming. 

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Spooky season with a Japanese twist:

Explore Fantastical beasts and Iconic costumes 🦇🖤🦇

We can see how important costumes, garments and physical symbolism is important in story-telling. Halloween is a special time when there is an unveiling between the spirit world and ours and why it’s the best time to feel RE-connected with our ancestors.

Halloween is a special time when there is an unveiling between the spirit world and ours and that makes it the best time to feel RE-connected with our ancestors. We can see how important costumes and physical symbolism is important in our storytelling. Culture, art, Oral myths have a way of teaching us about our stories and how clothes tell a tale and have a history of their own. Enjoy our curation of iconic Japanese folklore spirits and scroll through at your own expense. 🚨

🏳️ Significance of White – White kimonos represent Purity, innocence and the next stage of reincarnation hence why the significance of the spirits often wearing white is a juxtaposition of what white stands for.

📖 Folktales as an allegory –  The characterisation of mythical creatures are actually a maid’s tales to show how being immoral can result in you becoming a maleficent spirit or being troubled by one. 

🌾 Nature – The temperament of nature is represented through deities, see how they are used in stories to preserve respect for nature by using prankster spirits as a way of offering consequences. 

Folklore, in the end, is good fun–  folktales provide us with a cultural and historical nuance of what everyday children and people believed in.

Yurei 👻

The Yurei is a very popular yokai, a ghost that takes on the appearance of a woman with dishevelled inky black hair and dressed in the iconic paperwhite kimono, which is usually adorned on the dead when laid to rest.

Tengu 👺 

The Tengu are famous mountain deities. their garbs are worn by mountain ascetics from the Heian era. Simple, wide cotton Hakama trousers and a Robe with a red decorative mask

Ohaguro Bettari 😱

A terrifying yokai who loiters around shrines adorned with a beautiful traditional wedding kimono in pure white with a headdress concealing their face to scare young men. The kimono ensemble typically includes a trailing hem, called Kakeshita.

Jatai 👘

It is said that if you lay your obi next to you while you sleep, it would strangle men with wicked hearts as they dreamt in a fervent sleep. Obi is a belt that is secured around the mid-waist to fix the kimono closed, intact and in this case, a menace.

Did this leave you feeling thirsty for more bite-sized content on Japanese culture? 🧛

🎌 Keep an eye out for our Japan Culture day blog where we will be spilling hotspots for Japanese food, drinks and dessert places for you to visit in London to celebrate on the 3rd of November. 🍜🥐🍵

Find us: @ 88 Regent Street

Trick or treat yo’ self to our spooky scrunchies – our special pumpkin colour scrunchies make for a perfectly chilling accessory 🎃 You can find us & more at 88 Regent Street at our concept store

Not only that:

It doesn’t have to be Halloween nor do you need to be a ghost for you to be able to rock a /kimono. We have upcycled kimono outfits that you can dress up as an everyday outfit staple so come and grab our one-of-a-kind pieces or customize your own – we also offer on-site consultations. Come RE-create history in your wardrobe and RE-connect to our roots by celebrating culture by championing a future that is sustainable, maybe even with one of our vintage kimono bespoke pieces?

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Compassion, COVID-19 and cultural attitudes towards mental health

mental health awareness week nature theme

The following haiku was written by our teammate Christina* in honor of Mental Health Awareness Week (10-16th May), we wanted to acknowledge how the COVID-19 pandemic has deteriorated mental health globally. 

May 9th is also Mother’s Day in Japan. During lockdown, founder/designer Yumi began disassembling her mother’s kimonos, which helped her reconnect with her family, her cultural heritage but also herself in these times of isolation. Our interest in sparking meaningful interpersonal and cross-cultural dialog means we cannot overlook how differently cultures deal with mental health issues. While mental health has become less taboo in many Western cultures in recent years, in Japan mental health continues to carry a stigma, which further burdens victims and their loved ones. 

In Japanese society, struggling with mental health is conceived as something shameful because it represents an inability or a lack of willpower to control oneself. In that sense, the expectation is that patients or their families, rather than professionals, should deal with these issues. Though treatments are available, nearly two-thirds of patients never seek out professional help.

In the face of rising suicide rates, Tetsushi Sakamoto was named as Japan’s first Minister for Loneliness by Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. Indeed, in October 2020, Japan experienced a 70% increase in female suicides alone. Similarly to the UK, Japan has adopted measures to address loneliness amidst the pandemic.

The WHO reported that over 264 million people of all ages suffer from depression worldwide, but many do not receive treatment due to stigma, discrimination, and neglect.

As lockdown comes to an end in the UK, Japan’s situation is a kind reminder that COVID-19 is a global issue and we must keep exercising compassion and looking out for one another. 

In July 2020, a KFF Health Tracking Poll reported the stress associated with the pandemic was prompting negative impacts on wellbeing including difficulty sleeping (36%) or eating (32%), increases in alcohol or substance use (12%), and worsening chronic conditions (12%). In the long-run, the pandemic also increases exposure to isolation and job loss, which are associated with poor mental health outcomes.

Between March 2020 and February 2021, in the UK loneliness rose from 10 to 26%. Even during the summer of 2020, when most restrictions were lifted, reported loneliness did not return to its pre-lockdown levels.Combating loneliness is crucial for mental health because human connections provide us emotional support and allow us to cope better. In February 2021, 13% of surveyed UK adults reported having thoughts about suicide in the previous two weeks, an increase of 5 points from April 2020. 


To extend our commitment to sustainability in our personal sources of energy (Ki), we give back a percentage of proceeds to the mental health charity Mind. Read more about their everyday tips for dealing with mental health and for helping others around you and check out their guides for hotlines and support.

* “A writer with a tendency to look at human fallibility and the emotions that haunt us, Christina Sophie Tring is a poet and prose writer that is focusing on multiple projects this year to build her catalogue of work” 

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The ghosts of our clothes: time for an ethical Fashion Revolution

Haiku by ethical brands for fashion revolution

“the clothes you wear have ghosts on them, the histories of those who made them”

4649.REC has been discussing the way the clothes we own carry the stories of those who have worn them before us. However, we cannot overlook just how much those who make our clothing contribute to their stories, as well. 

In remembrance of the collapse of the Rana Plaza building hosting several garment factories in Bangladesh 8 years ago today (24th April 2013), 4649.REC has shared yet another of our team member Christina’s beautiful haikus*. We want to pay tribute to the 1,134 people lost during this tragedy and bring attention to the workers in the fast fashion industry, who often suffer exploitative conditions to keep clothing prices low. 

What is Fashion Revolution?

The Rana Plaza building collapse is the fourth largest industrial disaster in history. Fashion Revolution was founded in the wake of this tragedy and launched the #WhoMadeMyClothes movement, urging the fashion industry to respect human rights and increase transparency throughout the production chain. According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation 300 million people work in the clothing industry, a vast majority of them being women. The vast majority live in poverty and do not have the freedom to negotiate their working conditions. In fact, in 2018, the Global Slavery Index reported that the garment industry is the second sector driving modern slavery.

In the context of COVID-19, garment worker’s rights and transparency are a particularly salient issue. Research by the Traidcraft Exchange highlighted how most of the countries where garments are being produced do not have the economic resources necessary to support the large number of unemployed workers, leaving many food insecure. Indeed, in last year in March an estimated $1.44 Billion US dollars worth of payments were cancelled or withheld in Bangladesh alone. In the midst of a pandemic, this means the healthcare infrastructure will also struggle to care for the sick.

On this day, in accordance with the values of Fashion Revolution, we wish to amplify the voices of garment workers which are too often overlooked. You can hear more about the stories of garment workers or by following the #IMadeYourClothes movement. 

What can you do to help?

Here, at 4649.REC, we value harmony, respect and sincerity and believe it is time for an ethical fashion revolution. Read and sign the Fashion Revolution manifesto here.

Fashion should be a celebration of people, of cultural diversity and of life. If you, too, want bring about a fashion industry which values people and the planet above profits, learn more about how you can get involved. 

Let’s make ethical and sustainable choices when filling our wardrobe as our favorite stores re-open and let us know what you consider to make a fashion brand ethical? Share your thoughts with us and let’s start our conversation.

* “A writer with a tendency to look at human fallibility and the emotions that haunt us, Christina Sophie Tring is a poet and prose writer that is focusing on multiple projects this year to build her catalogue of work” 

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Haikus for Mother’s Day

the tenderness of
spring; unfolding, forgiving
I watch this in you

Haiku is a form of Japanese poetry that consists of brief, non-rhyming lines that elicit natural imagery. Haiku can be written in a number of short verse styles, the most popular of which is a three-line poem with a 5-7-5 syllable sequence. Traditionally, haiku poetry discusses nature themes and imagery describing a particular season or changes in the natural world throughout the year. 

Some key terminology:

  • On (“sounds”): Japanese haikus contain 17 on. 
  • Kigo (a word or phrase that places the haiku in a particular season): for instance, Sakura (“cherry blossoms”) for spring, fuji (“wisteria”) for summer, tsuki (“moon”) for autumn, and samushi (“cold”) for winter.
  • Kireji (the “cutting word”): traditionally, kireji inserts a pause or a break in the poem’s flow, usually to contrast two images.

What are the origins of haiku?

The history of the haiku can be traced back to the 13th century. Originally called “hokku”, haikus were an opening stanza for a larger Japanese poem called rengu, written collaboratively. In the 16th century, poets began writing hokku without the rengu. Matsuo Bashō (1644-94)created haikai, a more relaxed form of rengu, In the 19th century, with the help of Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902), it became known as haiku and recognized as its own form of poetry. 

The history of the haiku can be traced back to the 13th century. Originally called “hokku”, haikus were an opening stanza for a larger Japanese poem called rengu, written collaboratively. In the 16th century, poets began writing hokku without the rengu. Matsuo Bashō (1644-94) created haikai, a more relaxed form of rengu, In the 19th century, with the help of Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902), it became known as haiku and recognized as its own form of poetry. 

Simultaneously, the haiku started to spread to France and to the Netherlands, and then to North America. American Beat poets of the 1950s were profoundly influenced by Eastern philosophy and haiku, as R.H. Blyth’s 1951 book Haiku demonstrates. 

Why are we sharing haikus?

Haikus are a world-renown art form of Japan. In our attempt to empower people from all cultural backgrounds and encourage them to reconnect with their heritage and family history, we are celebrating diversity as well as Mother’s Day. 

Lovingly crafted by our team member Christina Sophie Tring *, our haikus celebrate mothers and the special bond we develop with them throughout our lives. For our founder/designer Yumi, cutting up her mother’s vintage kimonos, which are attached to personal memories turned out to be a form of empowerment, which allowed her to engage in meaningful conversations and strengthen family ties. 4649.REC is not just a sustainable upcycling street wear collection, it attempts to spark that special feeling within people and share it with the world through its clothing pieces and accessories and through workshops, where you too, can learn to upcycle your clothes.

What other aspects of Japanese culture would you like to be celebrated by us? What forms of art from your culture do you feel an attachment to? Connect with us and let’s start our conversation. 

* “A writer with a tendency to look at human fallibility and the emotions that haunt us, Christina Sophie Tring is a poet and prose writer that is focusing on multiple projects this year to build her catalogue of work”