Tohoku Project
Tohoku, Japan
This project is formed through partnerships with small businesses and crafts people in the region of Tohoku, which in March 2011 experienced the devastating tsunami created by the country’s most powerful earthquake to date. For this project we have collaborated with friends who share our ideals.
Material
Special blend of organic cotton and hemp.
Quality
70% Organic Cotton and 30% Organic Hemp.
Sustainability
All hemp and cotton grown free of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and defoliants.
Mission
Since 2011 The Inoue Brothers has kept working and endeavouring to support the Tohoku region. Empowerment through business.
The heritage of Japanese craftsmanship
When the devastating tsunami hit Japan’s northern region of Tohoku on 11th March 2011 the whole world was stunned.
Tohoku is known for a broad cross section of industries and the high quality production abilities it holds within each industry. From electronics to handy crafts, the region has always been active and highly productive supplying Japan and the international market with products and materials relevant to modern day life. The livelihood of many people in the region depends on these industries, however, when the tsunami hit their coast, many established factories and companies were wiped out in an instant.
Traditional Japanese textile industry is operated through co-ops and industrial alliances to broaden their production capacities to deliver accordingly to the market’s demand. Depending on orders, small factories and larger manufacturing plants come together to produce the highest quality garments known around the world. When a wide array of small and larger scale factories and workshops were affected by damage and destruction, most orders were instantly cancelled.
Empowerment through business
Learning of the region’s textile heritage, we created collection of simple T-shirts two months after the devastation, engaging factories that were still operational, however without much work. Since the initial collection we have kept working and endeavouring to increase their production to support the Tohoku region.
Collaborating with likeminded friends such as Richard Windsor, James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem) and Hiroshi Fujiwara. The aim is to create awareness for support and empowerment through business.
We have developed a unique blend of organic hemp and cotton specifically aimed to create comfort throughout the hot summer months.
All organic hemp and cotton used for this project is grown free of chemical fertilisers, pesticides, herbicides and defoliants.
Small sewing factory / 10-15 employees
Portrait: Mr. Sakuma / Owner Place: Funahiki Town / Fukushima prefecture We have collaborated with this small production facility in the rural village Tamura since 2011.
