Mask & Eyeglass Cord / Iga Kumihimo

Product Description

Product Story

General Product Information

These eyeglass/mask strings are handmade one by one by skilled craftsmen.
The product is available in a wide variety of colors and has a cute look with a built-in chain as well as a string.
These eyeglass/mask strings are woven in a special way and are very strong and will not tear by ordinary means.
It is a versatile item that will keep your glasses/mask in place!

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：1300 years ago / 700AD / Nara period in Japan

Iga Kumihimo is a type of braid produced in Mie Prefecture. It is said that the art of kumihimo was introduced to Japan in the Nara period (710-794) with the arrival of Buddhism. At that time, kumihimo was used for sutras, kesa (ceremonial robes), and the sokutai, an indispensable garment for royalty, and was also highly artistic. During the Warring States period and the Edo period (1603-1867), it was used as a decorative cord for armor and swords, and demand for it increased rapidly. Even today, products are being developed to meet the needs of the world.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Kumihimo Hirai / Michitaka Hirai A craftsman with an unusual background, he became a system engineer after graduating from university before assuming the position of the fifth generation of Kumihimo Hirai. We are developing unprecedented products in the hope that more customers will use our products. We hope you will enjoy our product development in line with modern needs.

Craftsman Passion

"Enthusiasm that you will be able to do it will create a good flow."

Having married into his wife's family business, he did not have the mindset that he "had to" do crafting, but that he would do it if he decided to do it. When it comes to crafting, you can move forward by overcoming one by one what you cannot do in front of you. I also believe that it is important to have the mindset of believing that you can definitely do the things that you cannot do."
 

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Length：70cm ( 27.5 inch )

Material & Caution

Materials

Sillook
The kumihimo ropes are made of Sillook® threads manufactured by Toray, a Japanese textile company. It was developed to closely resemble natural silk and is washable and durable. It is of premium grade among artificial silk textiles. Sillook is also used to make Japanese kimono.

 

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Delivery Date

Please note that it will take about two months for delivery if we do not have the item in stock.