Hello, I'm Rika Ito, a printmaker.

If you live in Aichi Prefecture, you may have heard of “Arimatsu Narumi Shibori”.

"Arimatsu Narumi Shibori (tie-dyeing)" used to have more than 100 different techniques such as "sewing", "binding" and "folding". It is now about half that number. When we hear the word “tie-dyeing,” we often think of yukata with fine patterns, and the image of things sewn with thread and dyed with indigo. This time, I would like to introduce "Suzusan" in Arimatsu, which overturns such existing images.

A company founded in 2008 based in Düsseldorf, Germany, with a workshop in Arimatsu. That is "Suzusan". They have a studio and a factory shop in Midori Ward, Nagoya City.

Among the jobs that were divided in Arimatsu, the family business of "Suzusan Shoten" was a Kageshi (a job of picture printing, which is now called design), but the fifth generation Hiroyuki Murase who went to Germany to study became a creative director and launched Suzusan.

At the Paris fabric exhibition, it has been highly evaluated by Hermès, Chanel, Dior, Loewe, etc., and they have collaborated with many brands including Yohji Yamamoto and provide fabrics to luxury brands.

After 12 years of steady efforts, they have built up the current shape. Suzusan products are now available in over 120 stores in 23 countries. Planning is done in Germany, production is done in Japan, and Made in Japan products are sold.

In the Suzusan factory shop in Arimatsu, stoles, clothes, lighting, etc. are displayed.

All items are available at the factory shop, and you can feel the world of Suzusan. The clothes are made according to European standards, so they are relatively loose in size and mainly unisex, so both men and women can wear them.

Particular attention should be paid to interior goods. A cushion can be placed on a sofa for a long-lasting view of the tie‐dyed pattern, or a blanket for daily contact with the pleasant material.

Lighting is a popular product these days when the stay-at-home is established. You can wash and use it without losing its shape because the bumps of the shibori are permanent shape processed. It can be washed, so cleaning is easy and recommended.

There are 4 types of shibori and 2 types of lamp shapes: a hanging pendant lamp and a standing table lamp. You can order any combination of sizes you like, so you can freely choose the one that best suits the atmosphere of your room!

Speaking of Suzusan, scarf! A scarf that has been established so much. There are various colors and materials, so you should be able to find one that you like! If the color or material you are looking for is not displayed, please ask the staff directly.

This time, I spoke online with Suzusan's creative director, Mr. Hiroyuki Murase, who lives in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Rika Ito (hereinafter referred to as I): What is the current situation of Suzusan?

Mr. Hiroyuki Murase (hereafter referred to as Murase): When we launched the brand in 2008, it was a difficult situation because there were no young people in the production area, but gradually people started to gather, and now we are in a very good situation.
It's like, "from 0 to 1."

I: Suzusan has a lot of young staff.

Murase: The youngest staff member is 19 years old. I was able to “gather”, so I would like to shift to the direction of “cultivating” and continue to create connections with the production areas. Recently, I created an installation in collaboration with Nagoya University of Arts in a space on Hisaya Odori in Nagoya. I think it was good that I was able to get involved with the local community through manufacturing.

With students

I: I heard that fabrics and lighting are also used in the hotel "Nikko Style Nagoya" in Nayabashi and the newly opened "THE TOWER HOTEL NAGOYA" in Hisaya.

Murase: Yes, that's right. “Koji MARUTANI”, a shop in “Layered Hisaya Odori Park” opened on Hisaya Odori, also uses the lighting. I would like everyone to come and visit.

The lobby of "Nikko Style Nagoya" in Nayabashi. Lighting and cushions are products of Suzusan. Even non-guests can view it.

The cylindrical lighting called KUKURU floor lamp is also wonderful.

The guest room of THE TOWER HOTEL NAGOYA, which was built in Nagoya's TV tower. Suzusan cloth is used for the bed throw. The compatibility with the exhibited works is perfect.

The lighting in the suite room at THE TOWER HOTEL NAGOYA is SHIZUKU from Suzusan.

The pattern of the shibori is beautiful.

The entrance of R&B Hotel Nagoya Ekimae, which just opened in November. An art panel using fabric for lighting.

Appearance of Koji MARUTANI

Koji MARUTANI has a custom-made light inside the store.

I: It's nice to be able to feel Arimatsu Narumi Shibori in the city of Nagoya. What are your thoughts on the future?

Murase: From now on, I would like to combine the techniques and knowledge that have been passed down for 400 years to create the next future.

I: Specifically, what kind of plans do you have?

Murase: We opened a store in Düsseldorf, Germany on October 30, 2020. This is the second Suzusan directly managed store in the world. We also want to make our products available through an online store and provide more opportunities for people who use our products to come into contact with them in a closer proximity.

I: It's great for customers to be able to actually pick it up and buy it when they want it! ! The material of Suzusan's products is comfortable, and just touching them makes me feel happy.

Murase: That makes me happy.

A Suzusan baby wool scarf made of comfortable material that makes you feel happy just by touching it.

I: I think this year was also affected by the coronavirus, what do you think?

Murase: There have been many changes in Japan, such as the cancellation of the June tie-dye festival and the inability of buyers and related people to come to exhibitions in Paris and Tokyo. I myself have not been able to visit Japan for more than half a year for the first time in my career, but I have been able to use digital tools to talk with the staff at Arimatsu and people around the world, and I have learned new ways of making and selling our products. I see this new environment not as a negative event but as a positive change, and I am thinking of creating a brand in which people and products are involved in a different way than before.

I: I'm looking forward to seeing Suzusan in the future. thank you.

After speaking with Mr. Murase, I felt that his personality, way of thinking, and charm as a person attracts wonderful people to gather around him. With Mr. Murase at the center, Dusseldorf staff and Arimatsu staff form a team, and many people are involved, supporting and creating Suzusan.

It is exciting to think that "Arimatsu Narumi Shibori", a treasure of Nagoya and Japan, is spreading around the world, centering in Düsseldorf, Germany. We can't take our eyes off Suzusan in the future!

Arimatsu staff

The staff is mainly young and energetic, in their 20s and 30s!

Suzusan's shibori experience class

Finished dyeing and washing. Let it dry and you're done!

Experience classes are also popular at Suzusan. You can make a reservation and experience your favorite shibori.

Please contact Studio Suzusan to make a reservation for the Suzusan shibori experience.

https://www.studio-suzusan.com/

You can also make a reservation from "Jalan"!
https://www.jalan.net/kankou/spt_guide000000209290/

Dainagoya Tours is offering a hands-on program on December 6 (Sunday) from 1:00 p.m. Please check out the program as well. Dainagoya Tours "Shibori and dye! The world's one and only shibori wool scarf making tour - A 4th generation Arimatsu Narumi shibori artist will teach you how to make your own original scarf in a choice of two colors! "

https://dai-nagoyatours.jp/article/12585.html

The 4th generation of Arimatsu Narumi Shibori will tell you about the traditional techniques.

Arimatsu, where Suzusan's studio and factory shop are located, was recognized as a Japanese Heritage Site in 2019. The title of the site was "Arimatsu, a town where indigo-dyed fabrics sway in the wind, a shibori production center that captures the atmosphere of the Edo period". As the title suggests, the townscape, which is suitable for kimonos, is designated as a preservation district for groups of traditional buildings, and the ukiyoe-like landscape of the Edo period is still preserved today.

It would be nice to experience it with your family and friends and take a walk in the Japanese heritage town of Arimatsu.

Autumn Arimatsu Campaign

Until November 30th, Meitetsu is hosting the Arimatsu Autumn Campaign. Discount tickets such as "Arimatsu Shibori Experience Ticket" and "Arimatsu Osanpo Ticket" are available, so please use them together.

Meitetsu HP "-I'm going to see the treasure of Japan.-Autumn Arimatsu campaign" https://www.meitetsu.co.jp/sp/recommend/catalog/1259631_5633.html

From November 11th to 17th, they are also holding a campaign to double the points of the store's shop card, so please take this opportunity to register a member's card that you can use at their directly managed stores.

Suzusan pop-up shop will be held!

And this fall, the first Suzusan pop-up shop will be held at the Sakae Mitsukoshi store for a week from November 18th.

The details of pop up shop of Sakae Mitsukoshi

As a special event on the 21st and 22nd, the creative director, Mr. Murase, who was interviewed, will be holding an online service. It is rare for a Suzusan pop-up shop to open in Nagoya, so why not take this opportunity to visit? I recommend that you take a “suzusan stroll” along Hisaya Odori!

Take a tour around Arimatsu, Meieki, and Sakae and experience the world of Suzusan.