Coloring Japan's High Growth Era with Splendor

Could you tell us about the beginnings of the business?

In 1952, my father, Eikichi Nakaya, founded the "Nakaya Pile." Our location in Hashimoto City, Wakayama Prefecture has been known as a cotton weaving area since the Edo period, particularly after the invention of the "Saiori" (再織) technique in 1877, which gained recognition in overseas markets and flourished. In 1952, nylon threads emerged, and loop pile fabrics using the "Osakaeshi" (筬返し) technique were increasingly adopted as upholstery fabric. After 1970, we installed Jacquard looms and began producing Kinkazan textiles.

As the high growth period commenced, the Westernization of Japanese culture accelerated, leading to carpets being laid over tatami mats and people wearing slippers. Supported by the demand for interior items like seating chairs, wall coverings, and curtains, our company expanded steadily. Between 1988 and the early 1990s, Kinkazan textiles were adopted as fabric for automobile seats, reaching peak production levels. They also became popular for truck interiors. From 1994 onwards, through the development of distinctive new patterns, we garnered market support, particularly with landmark patterns like the pigeon of the tour bus, ginkgo of the municipal bus, and the Bay Bridge of Yokohama, which all became hits.

Could you share the appeal of Kinkazan textiles?

The appeal of Kinkazan textiles lies in the ability to create various types of fabrics by innovating the weaving method of Jacquard machines. Until around 2000, our main business involved supplying fabrics to wholesalers, but since then, we have shifted our focus to industry proposal-based business, developing our own products. Around 1985, on the cusp of the Showa to Heisei transition, delicate Japanese patterns were predominant, but around 2006, we transformed our designs to draw inspiration from ancient European old collections, thereby establishing the unique beauty of Kinkazan textiles and gaining significant support.