Zenbird Editorial TeamKimono Sunao Co., Ltd. is a Kyoto-based company specialising in traditional Japanese attire, and they have been selected for a national model project to promote the reuse and resource circulation of unused kimonos. The Ministry of the Environment selected the company’s initiative, titled Economic Revitalisation and Technical Succession Model through Buried Kimonos, as part of its fiscal year 2025 supplementary budget for promoting reuse.
“Buried kimonos” refers to the issue of traditional garments that remain stored in household wardrobes without being worn. Despite their inherent durability and potential for repair, many kimonos are discarded or left idle due to changing lifestyles. Kimono Sunao wants to create a comprehensive circulation system that collects these items through social media and physical hubs.
Under this model, collected kimonos undergo a process of assessment. Depending on their condition, the garments are repaired for resale, transformed into new products through upcycling, or processed into recycled fibres. Kimono Sunao ensures that even items no longer suitable for wearing as traditional attire remain within the economic loop.
Furthermore, Kimono Sunao creates a steady demand for repairs and upcycling, which provides consistent work for artisans. It is their intent to facilitate the transfer of technical skills to the next generation, while also addressing the labour shortage within the traditional textile industry.
The Ministry of the Environment selected the project based on its effectiveness and potential for expansion to other regions and organisations. Kimono Sunao has previously operated dressing classes and online communities to encourage kimono use, integrating these activities into a formal circular economy framework.
The company plans to refine the logistics of collection and resource recovery to create a scalable model.
[Reference] PR Times (Japanese)
