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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 kimonoa 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: @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. 

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