– The Secret of Isemoment’s Softness –
Since cotton seeds were first introduced to Japan during the Muromachi period, the Ise region—blessed with fertile soil, pure water, and favorable weather—became a major cotton-producing area and earned a reputation for producing the finest-quality cotton.
Isemomen cotton was once sold as a specialty along the Tsu Highway to travelers visiting the Ise Grand Shrine, and from the Edo period until before World War II, it was cherished nationwide as everyday wear. It played an important role in building the economic foundation of Ise’s merchants at the time.
However, after the war, the rise of synthetic fibers and changes in clothing culture caused demand for Isemomen cotton to decline sharply. Today, only one company, Usui Orimono Co., Ltd., continues to produce it, making it extremely rare. Using Japan’s highest-quality pure cotton yarn and looms inherited from the Meiji era, Isemomen cotton is woven through traditional methods that remain unchanged. The result is a fabric that is surprisingly warm and resistant to wrinkles. Unlike ordinary cotton, which becomes stiff after washing, Isemomen cotton grows softer and more textured the more it is washed.
There is a traditional fabric that has been made continuously since the Edo period — it is called Ise Momen (Isemomen cotton).
The narrow-width bolts of cloth, produced through methods unchanged for generations, have an exceptionally soft texture and a natural, vintage-like charm. The secret lies in the yarn — low-twist yarn. Rather than tightly twisting the fibers, the yarn is kept close to its original cotton state, then stiffened with natural starch and slowly woven on old-style looms.
Each machine can produce only one bolt (about 13 meters) per day. As the finished fabric is washed, the starch gradually comes off and the threads return to their natural cotton form, making the cloth softer over time. This gentle, evolving texture is what makes Isemomen cotton so special.
Kyoto stripes, Kihachijō, Ippon Kataha, Yatara checks… Isemomen cotton is known for its beautiful traditional stripes and check patterns, which reflect the fashions and spirit of their time.
Passing down these designs is important, but so is creating new ones inspired by modern Japanese life. Dyeing Isemomen cotton in today’s colors and patterns to make everyday items is a natural expression of contemporary Japanese design—and the true meaning of the SOU・SOU × Isemomen cotton collaboration.
By blending age-old techniques with modern sensibility, we aim to create pieces that express Japanese identity.
These should not be reserved for special occasions, but fit naturally into daily life. Only then can traditional crafts and local industries continue to thrive.
Through SOU・SOU × Isemomen cotton, we seek to explore new possibilities for this timeless fabric.
