In the third episode of "Trad Channel," curator Michihiko Kei and Taiki Seki, the men's floor manager at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store, take a stroll outside Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store to "J.PRESS & SON'S," a shop that embraces the concept of "connecting tradition to the next generation."
Guided by Tomoya Kurono, buyer and planner at J. Press & Sons, we'll check out traditional items that are perfect for today's mood.

▶Previous installments can be found here.
▶The interview is being streamed on Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store's official social media accounts.
Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store Men's Clothing Official Instagram

A style that effortlessly transitions between dressy and casual, allowing you to enjoy a playful, grown-up look.

"J. Press & Sons" opened last year in Aoyama as the first concept store to carry the full collection of "J. Press Originals," which expresses the origins of "J. Press"—the original—with modern silhouettes and carefully selected materials. Many basic items that are still loved across generations have been updated and now exude new appeal.

Taiki Seki (hereinafter: Seki): This time, we ventured out of Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store and visited J. Press & Sons. First, let's have Ms. Kurono introduce some of this season's recommended items.

Tomoya Kurono (hereinafter: Kurono) : Rather than having a big seasonal theme, J. Press creates its collections by updating classic pieces that it has been making for many years to suit the times. This season, the first thing I would recommend is the coverall from J. Press Originals, made from a polyester and cotton twill fabric.

Keiichi Michihiko (hereinafter: Keiichi): It looks black, but the deep green is refreshing.

The twill fabric, commonly used in Kurono Workwear, is not too casual, and the dark green color adds a touch of sophistication, resulting in a fresh take on American workwear.

What is the design above the chest pocket?

Above the black pocket, a company patch was attached to a vintage archive piece, so we updated it as a detail that allows for the inclusion of a name.

Kei: I see. So you're preserving it out of respect for the original and its roots.

While this is a black American casual outer garment, this season we recommend styling it in a way that isn't too casual, such as by adding a tie.

Seki: It's a new look to see someone wearing a tie with these coveralls.

I fell in love at first sight with this wide-wale corduroy series that has a French vintage feel to it.

Kei: This year I've been wanting to wear corduroy with thick ridges, and I found some at J. Press & Sons.

The collection includes four items: a black double-breasted jacket, a swing top, a CPO-type jacket, and pants, allowing you to freely mix and match them to create a complete set. This corduroy has undergone a Nidom process, which creates fibril (nappiness) when rubbed in water, resulting in a new look with added luster, elasticity, and bulk.

While wide-wale corduroy can often give a rough impression, this one has a glossy finish that makes it look elegant.

While Kurono Futoune has many casual elements, I personally think that the contrast between its glossy finish and refined appearance creates a sense of freshness.

The texture of the materials gives it a French feel, doesn't it?

It's interesting that they're using the same material for multiple items, and it makes them easy to coordinate outfits.

By adding a modern twist to the contemporary sensibility, the traditional blazer has been elevated to a contemporary level.

When it comes to J. Press, you simply can't leave out their blazers!

Kei: This three-button blazer from J. Press Originals has a really fresh feel to the material.

Kurono : Yes, this seasonal blazer uses a polyester-wool twill fabric, which is commonly used in uniforms and military clothing. It's a durable material that doesn't wrinkle easily even after frequent wear, and its appeal lies in its rich texture.

The Keii silhouette is a slightly relaxed, boxy fit, making it easy to style in a variety of ways.

It looks great with a tie , but it also looks cool worn casually with a t-shirt. I'd like to try it out.

This blazer is designed for everyday wear, so I hope you'll enjoy layering it with other pieces.

Colorful shaggy dog sweater, perfect for enjoying a fresh style.

The Seki Shaggy Dog sweater really stands out.

This shaggy dog sweater uses Shetland blend yarn from JC Rennie, a Scottish spinning company famous for its black Shetland wool.

Kei's lineup this year is full of desirable colors!

Thank you, Kurono . Every season, I spend a long time selecting the colors, and this season we have seven solid colors including yellow, orange, charcoal brown, navy, and khaki. The characteristic feature is that the colors are not solid but have a marble-like appearance. In addition, this year we are also offering two colors of a striped type with a bold panel-like pattern.

Keiichi is known for his skillful use of color , but which one would you choose from this year's lineup?


Kei: I usually wear yellow, but this year I think I'll go with khaki. It looks cool when you wear it, but you can also drape it over your shoulders, tie it around your waist, or wear it if it's cold. You can do anything with just one sweater. You can create an outfit like the one in the movie "Another Country"!

Pay attention to the details in the collaboration items from J. Press x Kenneth Field!

Until Monday , November 30th, we are showcasing the collaboration collection between J. Press and the Japanese brand Kenneth Field on the 2nd floor men's department of Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store.

Kurono: This time, together with designer Kusano, we focused on "black" and "British."


So, it's about taking J. Press's tradition and reputation and infusing it with a new, contemporary feel. The focus and atmosphere of this season really lie in the use of "black."

Kurono : For example, when we made the black Shaggy Dog sweater, we received a request from Kusano-san to "add elbow patches," so we found a factory in Japan and sewed the elbow patches on by hand.
According to Kusano, "Shaggy Dog's elbow patches are usually applied after holes or tears appear, but aren't elbow patches that come attached from the start just too stylish?" she wrote on her blog.

The tag on the Seki Shaggy Dog garment features a red Kenneth Field leaf mark as a collaboration motif, but the fact that it's not visible when worn is typical of Mr. Kusano's style. It's simple, but there's attention to detail and a lot of depth to it.



The Keiichi wide-collar shirt is also a great example of the collaboration. It has a flap on the chest pocket, and while British shirts don't typically have pockets, the way they've incorporated Ivy League style here is clever.

The second generation J.PRESS by Kurono has been carrying on the tradition of adding a flap to the bag, stemming from the request that "college students tend to drop things, so we'd like one." A collaboration is happening behind the scenes.

Seki: That's a great story. American-made products tend to have a somewhat rustic feel, but they've kept the base the same while mixing in some British elements.



Kurono : Also, an essential item for this outfit is the 4 FACE TIE from J.PRESS. I chose stripes and small patterns from the J.PRESS archives, and a leaf and peace pattern from Kenneth Field, and combined several patterns on a navy base.

The combination of basic navy with checks and small patterns offers four times the enjoyment.

There are about 15 different types of Kurono products in the lineup, so you'll have fun choosing.

This tie can be used on all four sides, making it very versatile for both formal and casual occasions. It truly is a multi-purpose tie.

Kurono added that the Gurkha pants in Black Watch pattern, a popular item from Kenneth Field, were the item we most wanted to create. The fresh silhouette of the wide trousers allows you to create a chic style by incorporating patterned items.

The volume of the Seki bottoms has changed, so they should feel fresh when you wear them.

Keiichi has chosen classic patterns, but they have the air of a mischievous student from a British private school.

These are all items that would make thinking about how to style them fun. I hope you'll come and see them during the promotion period. Thank you both so much for today.








▶The interview is being streamed on Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store's official social media accounts.
Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store Men's Clothing Official Instagram

Photo: Taku Fujii
Text: Makoto Kajii

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