Jobonkai is a kimono exhibition founded by Takashimaya in 1936 (Showa 11) with the aim of enhancing the five dyeing and weaving arts of "weaving, dyeing, embroidery, shibori, and kasuri" that have been cultivated in Japanese culture.


In the spirit of honkoisin*, works that are based on classics and traditions but are not bound by them have brought a breath of fresh air to the world of dyeing and weaving. That spirit continues to this day, with members of the eight famous families—Akiba, Iwata, Kawashima, Taiyokyo, Chikiriya, Chiso, and Yashironi—still striving to reach the pinnacle of the five arts of dyeing and weaving.

Also, Takashimaya, which began as a small Kyoto kimono merchant in the mid-Meiji period, began trading in fine art dyed and woven textiles and actively participated in international exhibitions, further spreading the name "Takashimaya Fine Art Dyeing and Weaving."

This exhibition features a special display of approximately 100 historical documents that unravel the history of Takashimaya, including past Johinkai works housed in the Takashimaya Historical Museum (Osaka). Visitors can see the Johinkai's efforts, from past to present, as they strive to reach the pinnacle of the five arts of dyeing and weaving, the jewel of the Orient. * Honkoishin (reversing the old to create something new) is a word coined by the first Tatsumura Heizo, inspired by the saying "learn from the past and create something new."

1953 (Showa 28): The first piece of the restoration: Furisode "Maizuru Zuichomon"
1953 (Showa 28) First Revival Work: Visiting Kimono "Layered Fan"

[Exhibition Contents]
Art Dyeing and Weaving and Takashimaya
Takashimaya was founded in Kyoto in 1831 (Tenpo 2), and as the Meiji era began, it gradually began to welcome foreign customers. It expanded its trading business by opening trading stores in Kyoto in 1893 (Meiji 26) and Yokohama in 1900. After that, it repeatedly exhibited its products and won awards at expositions around the world, spreading the name of "Takashimaya, the art dyeing and weaving maker."

Exterior of Kyoto Higashi Store (Trade Store)
This exhibition will feature trade store signs and posters, brochures and catalogs for overseas markets, and certificates and medals from overseas exhibitions.

English flyer for overseas markets, Meiji period

Hyakusenkai and spreading trends
Two kimono events can be mentioned in the history of Takashimaya's kimono. The Johinkai was founded in the Showa period with the aim of demonstrating Takashimaya's "original mission of dyeing and weaving" and striving to be the pinnacle of Japanese dyeing and weaving. The Hyakusenkai was founded earlier, in 1913 (Taisho 2), with the aim of "creating new kimono trends at Takashimaya." It was a popular and well-known event that was held 183 times before being suspended in 1994 (Heisei 6). With the advice of many cultural figures, including poet Yosano Akiko, Takashimaya established a theme and a popular color scheme for each exhibition, and then announced a standard design based on that theme. New kimono designs were solicited from dyeing and weaving companies across the country, and the resulting designs were then manufactured and sold. The innovative and unique kimonos of the Hyakusenkai were immensely popular, even shaping trends in the kimono world. Takashimaya Archives x Kyoto Women's University - Recreating Miniature Kimonos from Prewar Hyakusenkai Materials This exhibition displays miniature kimonos created by university students as part of an industry-academia collaboration project for the "Kimono à la Mode" exhibition, held at the Takashimaya Archives (Osaka) in 2021 to commemorate Takashimaya's 190th anniversary. The designs of prewar Hyakusenkai kimonos, which no longer exist, were recreated using inkjet printing, based on photographs of kimonos worn at the time and designs from the time. The kimono will be made into a miniature kimono and then dressed as a full set on a 1/2 scale torso.

Miniature kimono
54th Spring Hyakusenkai Poster 1936 (Showa 11)

Johinkai Initiatives

Kitano Tsunetomi, Portrait of a Woman

The creators, Dojin, and the seller, Takashimaya, work hard together in an effort to reach the pinnacle of Japanese dyeing and weaving. The store has deep ties with artworks and artists, and in 2011, to celebrate the 180th anniversary of Takashimaya's founding, a new exhibition by Morimura Yasumasa entitled "Picture Photography + The KIMONO" was held, inspired by Kitano Tsunetomi's "Portrait of a Woman" (the original poster for the "Kimono Osaka" spring exhibition held at the Osaka store in 1929), in which a self-portrait wearing "Toyotomi Nishiki Aryo Mon," a 1939 piece by the Johinkai, was exhibited. This exhibition will feature a special display of "Toyotomi Nishiki Aryo Mon" along with the self-portraits.
1953 (Showa 28): The First Reconstruction Work: Furisode "Toyoko Nishiki Aya Pattern"




■ Inquiries
Nihonbashi Takashimaya: 03-3211-4111 (Main Line)