An Unexpected Encounter with Oshima Tsumugi

Hajime Shoji was founded in 1982. With his grandfather overseeing production and his father traveling across the country to develop sales channels, the company served as a vital link between the weavers of Amami and kimono shops in major cities. Initially, it functioned as a wholesaler, focusing on promoting Oshima Tsumugi through department store events and regional product fairs.

While this path seemed secure, the next generation was not necessarily inclined to follow in the family's footsteps. For Hajime, who had entered a science university and was engrossed in film and music studies, kimonos felt like a distant world, and he never envisioned a future in the family business. However, a chance visit to a weaving workshop during a summer vacation in Amami became a major turning point.

There, he saw young apprentices weaving patterns with fresh, uninhibited ideas. Witnessing their efforts to explore contemporary expressions while honoring tradition, he began to see Oshima Tsumugi not as something 'old,' but as a 'new stage for creation.' This experience sparked his journey into the world of crafts, ultimately leading to his decision to take over the family business.