Founder Heizo Tatsumura brought a revolution to the world of

textiles.

Steeped in the research of traditional textiles such as

Kodaigire taught at Horyuji Temple and the Shosoin Repository

(at the Todaiji Temple, Nara), his work can be described as

the pinnacle of dyeing and weaving textile techniques, which

he preserved and elevated to the level of an art.

When Tatsumura was 16, he started on his path in the kimono

sales business in Nishijin, Kyoto and gradually grew more and

more immersed in the research of kimono textile weaving

techniques.

He set out on his own as an independent textile manufacturer

at the age of 18 in 1894 (the 27th year of the Meiji period).

As his sales grew, he took out patents for numerous techniques

such as Takanami Ori Weave and Kokechi Ori Weave, amazing

his counterparts in the process as he was barely over the age

of 30.

Tatsumura recruited many young designers who possessed a

wealth of artistic sensibility. This was unprecedented in the

textile industry at the time, and led to fostering the famous

modernist Insho Domoto (1891-1975) and a number of other

distinguished figures in the Japanese art world who produced

many remarkable designs.

The great writer Ryunosuke Akutagawa boosted Tatsumura to

lasting fame when describing his works as having "astounding

artistic sense." This helped lead "textile art" to become

established in broader society.

In his research on what are called “famed fabrics”

(meibutsugire), Tatsumura restored some 70 precious textiles.

His contributions helped the proliferation of Japanese textile

art. His field of activity broadened worldwide when he took

orders for material from notable international designers such

as Christian Dior. In 1956, he received the Imperial Award at

the age of 80 from the Japan Art Academy.

The award was given to honor Tatsumura's many achievements

that helped open new possibilities in the world of textile

craftsmanship.

Working in the traditional environs of the Nishijin

neighborhood of Kyoto, Tatsumura's continuously novel ideas

and mastery of innovative techniques broke new ground in his

field. His predilection for the phrase "weave [designs] of

the future by knowing [designs] of the past" expressed the

unaltered passion and fervor that he possessed for a

lifetime dedicated to the beauty of textiles.