The history of cloth making in Tokamachi reaches as far back as the snow. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention, and there is no question about the necessity for warm clothing in a region with such severe winters as Tokamachi. It is this necessity that inspired innovation and eventually led to production of high quality textiles starting with plant-based angin to hemp and later changing to silk.

Long winters and heavy snow meant extended periods indoors doing manual labor and practicing skills such as knitting and weaving. And, there is no doubt that “practice has made perfect” the expertise with which the kimono craftsmen in Tokamachi create their wares.

As heavy snow immobilized outdoor activity, focus was placed on creating completed products in one location, instead of having different people or groups specialize. This approach solved the problem of immobility, and eventually led to the integrated factory production system that is used in many companies today.

Not only some of the major producers and sellers of kimonos, craftsmen in Tokamachi also help to clean and maintain the brightly colored kimonos used by many Japanese during their coming-of-age ceremony. Maintenance requires highly skilled craftsmen who know the history and characteristics of kimonos all over Japan.

At several kimono workshops in Tokamachi, such as the Suizan Kobo kimono workshop, visitors can see those craftsmen at work as they design and dye the kimonos. Additionally, a hands-on dyeing experience provides visitors with a beautiful souvenir and a better appreciation of the artisans’ skill.