The rainy season has ended, July is drawing to a close, and summer is in full swing. The great cicada chorus begins at dawn, and the sun shines down relentlessly. While you can stay comfortable in an air-conditioned room, it’s just not in my nature to sit still. Even with sun-kissed skin and sweat that just won't stop, I want to jump on my bike, head out, and enjoy the summer—whether it’s by the sea or in the mountains.
The KITETECO we are introducing this time is based on an item created by our close friends at DEEPER’S WEAR to help people stay cool and comfortable through Japan’s humid summers, with our own RAL requests added to it.
The fabric used is based on a style that first began production in a town along Lake Biwa around the Tenmei era of the Edo period, about 230 years ago. It carries the wisdom and ingenuity of our predecessors from an era before chemical fibers, equipped with features designed to get through a hot summer comfortably. That functionality comes from the use of highly twisted yarn, woven into a loose fabric. Long produced for "steteco"—traditional Japanese summer undergarments—this fabric features an accordion-like uneven texture. For this KITETECO, it has been refined to make it easier to wear as everyday clothing.
It has a uniquely dry, crisp feel, and you can see the unevenness of the fabric just by touching it. This texture reduces the surface contact between the fabric and your skin, making it more comfortable than other clothing even when it has absorbed a large amount of sweat. Additionally, the highly twisted yarn has room to stretch and a natural tendency to return to its original shape, giving the fabric itself a natural elasticity. The increased gaps in the weave also provide high breathability, which in turn leads to excellent quick-drying properties.
【COLOR】
Indigo, Light Indigo
【SIZE】
1 / Ladies’ S, 2 / Ladies’ M, 3 / Men’s S, 4 / Men’s M, 5 / Men’s L, 6 / Men’s XL
【MATERIAL】
Cotton 100%
【ORIGIN】
JAPAN, Shiga
【Price】
¥6,900- (excl. tax)
【IMPORTANT POINT】
・The color will fade, so please do not wash with other items.
・Friction may cause white fading in worn areas, so we recommend washing inside out.
Also, please avoid hand-scrubbing and allow to air dry.
・Light-colored products processed with bleach may yellow due to exposure to light.
We recommend turning them inside out when drying in sunny locations.
Since the base material is a 100% cotton fabric dating back to the Edo period, we requested a piece-dye using indigo dye to add even more of a Japanese flair. It comes in two colors: a deeply dyed Indigo, and a Light Indigo that has been bleached after a light dye. As these are piece-dyed, you can see the unique variations in expression in each individual piece.
The chest also features the RAL logo, applied using a special chain-stitch sewing machine. Each one is applied freehand by an artisan without the use of a template, making each finish unique.
For those of you who just can't sit still even in the heat of summer, I hope you’ll wear your KITETECO and create the best of memories.