From Wednesday, February 17th, Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building 5th floor, Made to Measure will host the "Bishu Vintage & Deadstock Fabric Market," featuring a variety of fabrics from eight leading weaving companies representing the Bishu region, one of the world's leading wool textile producing areas.


The region known as Bishu, stretching from the western Owari area of Aichi Prefecture to the Seino area of Gifu Prefecture, has long been a center of the textile industry. During the Nara period, it flourished as a production area for linen and silk textiles, and in the Edo period, cotton cultivation and cotton textile production began. In the mid-Meiji period, it was one of the first regions to successfully industrialize wool textile production. By the early Showa period, it had grown into one of the world's leading wool textile production areas, alongside Biella and Plateau.

This promotion will showcase precious fabrics that have been carefully stored in weaving mills, ranging from luxurious fabrics made with high-quality raw materials from various weaving mills in the Bishu region to rare fabrics that have not yet been seen by the public.

Katsuri Woolen Mills Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1912 in what is now Kisogawa-cho, Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture, Katsuri Woolen Mills Co., Ltd. designs, weaves, and sells its own fabrics. Since 1932, it has used and continues to use low-speed shuttle looms (commonly known as Schonherr), which power the principles of hand weaving. The fabrics, carefully woven using the raw materials, are full-bodied and have high elasticity, making them top-quality wool fabrics. It is a highly trusted and popular textile manufacturer among tailors and apparel companies both domestically and internationally. In 2020, the factory and related facilities were designated as Registered Tangible Cultural Properties.

Mitsuboshi Wool Co., Ltd.

Mitsuboshi Keito creates fabrics that are comfortable for the wearer by carefully bringing out the inherent texture of natural fibers. Aiming for a value chain with a visible face, they promote sustainable manufacturing by directly visiting farms and interacting with shepherds.
In 2015, their work was selected for the Ermenegildo Zegna Made in Japan Collection, and in 2019, they won the Grand Prix "Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award" at the Japan Textile Contest. Furthermore, on June 5th (Sat) and 6th (Sun), 2021, they plan to co-host the "Hitsuji Summit Bishu," an industrial tourism event aimed at revitalizing the Bishu textile production area, with local companies.

Niwa Woolen Mills Co., Ltd.

Niwa Shomoori, a textile manufacturer in Tsushima City, Aichi Prefecture, has been in business for over 100 years. Specializing in post-dyed textiles, primarily worsted plain fabrics, they are highly regarded by luxury brands both domestically and internationally. They combine weaving techniques that maximize the performance of various types of wool with processing techniques unique to Japan, creating a distinctive texture that emerges when the garment is worn.

Nakaden Woolen Mills Co., Ltd.

Chuden Woolen Mills is a textile manufacturer that produces woolen fabrics, synthetic fiber fabrics, and knitted fabrics. It boasts strong planning capabilities to accommodate diverse sales channels and industry-leading production capacity, and also owns group companies specializing in yarn dyeing and finishing. Exhibiting annually in July at the Milano Unica trade fair in Italy, its unique blends of natural materials and synthetic fibers are highly regarded by European and American brands. In recent years, the company has also promoted sustainable materials and serves as the executive committee chairman for the Tweed Run Bishu, contributing to regional revitalization.

Yamaei Woolen Mills Co., Ltd.

Yamaei Keori, a textile manufacturer with over 100 years of history, continues to create fabrics without compromise, paying attention to every detail from the selection of raw wool and yarn to the density of the weave and the finishing touches. They weave all natural fibers into a variety of fabrics with their unique sensibility. In Spring/Summer 2021, their original easy slacks specialty brand, Hakuro, made its debut.

Kunishima Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1850 (Kaei 3), Kunishima produces high-quality, high-density woolen fabrics using powerful projectile looms. Their main product, traditional men's suiting fabrics, is used by tailors nationwide. Furthermore, their "COBO Collection," featuring high-density fabrics with a more fashionable texture, is also highly regarded by top European fashion houses. In recent years, they have been developing a business model involving the purchase of raw wool from domestic sheep farms.

KANDA Co., Ltd.

KANDA is a weaving factory with multi-functional equipment, and its motto is to create products that make the most of the equipment and the know-how of its staff. For example, they are the only company in the world that produces seersucker fabric from raw silk woven on looms equipped with two warp beams in a width of 150 cm. Furthermore, regarding lightweight double weaves, which involve a dense and complex weave in both warp and weft, they offer an overwhelming collection based on their extensive experience.

Opalex Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1963 in Ichinomiya City, Aichi Prefecture, known as the "textile town," Opalex focuses on men's jacket fabrics, handling planning, manufacturing, and wholesale. The company not only produces wool fabrics but also puts effort into linen fabrics. Their fabrics are also used by many high-end fashion brands both domestically and internationally.

We invite you to take this opportunity to enjoy the "Bishu Vintage & Deadstock Fabric Market," where you can experience the finest techniques of eight weaving companies gathered on the 5th floor of Isetan Shinjuku Store, Men's Building , and feel the history of the Bishu region.