Founded in the Meiji Era: Preserving the Soul of Yuki-tsumugi

Okujun's story began in 1907 (the 40th year of the Meiji era), when Yoriyuki Okuzawa's great-grandfather founded the business. Though he came from a family of educators, a passion for commerce drove him to train at a relative's kimono wholesale business before branching out on his own.

"He was a man who truly lived for his business. I'm told that even when his health failed, he would stand out front of the shop as much as he could, loving every moment he spent talking with the producers and weavers, known as hataya. When asked what he'd do if he recovered, his answer was always the same: he'd want to get back to business."

This founder's passion is reflected in the company's emphasis on dialogue with its producers. This spirit became the bedrock of Okujun's role as a regional wholesaler for Yuki-tsumugi, a craft defined by its highly specialized division of labor and the essential collaboration among numerous artisans. By managing the entire process—from conceiving designs and commissioning artisans to selling the final kimonos—Okujun does more than just conduct business. It plays a vital role in sustaining the region's entire production ecosystem.