2026.01.05

Revolutionizing Winter with "Warmth Retention," Not "Heat Generation"—Washio's Mochihada® Aims to Create a World Without Cold.

#Mochihada

#cold-proof outerwear

#thermal retention technology

#Washio Co.

#Ltd.

#winter fashion

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Since its founding in 1955, Washio Co., Ltd., a manufacturer based in Kakogawa City, Hyogo Prefecture, has operated under the motto, "To eliminate cold from the world." To this end, they have been developing and prototyping their signature Mochihada® series of thermal innerwear.

At the heart of 'Mochihada®' lies a unique, patented technology known as the 'Washio-style raising method.' We spoke with Gaku Washio, President of Washio Co., Ltd., about the distinctive features of 'Mochihada®' and its recent expansion into outerwear.

PROFILE

Gaku Washio

President, Washio Co., Ltd.

Born in 1991 in Hyogo Prefecture. After graduating from university, he joined a company in Kobe and later moved to China by himself, where he helped launch a business importing and selling Japanese sake. Upon learning that his family's business was struggling, he returned to Japan in February 2016 to join Washio Co., Ltd. The company reported a record-breaking deficit in the fiscal year that followed. He implemented sweeping management reforms and successfully guided the company back to profitability within a single year. His diverse activities include launching new brands, running crowdfunding campaigns, and hosting his own radio show.

The Science of Warmth: The Secret Behind the Air-Trapping Loop Structure

The 'Washio-style raising method' is a unique technique where the fabric is brushed to create a nap, but the fiber loops are left intact within the knit. While conventional napped fabrics are made by cutting the loops to create a fluffy surface, this proprietary process involves 'knitting' and 'raising' simultaneously. The uncut loops form an insulating air layer, delivering exceptional warmth and a gentle texture.