Genbei Yamaguchi
Tenth-generation head of Kyoto's 285-year-old Kondaya Genbei, reviving rare silk and obi-weaving techniques for the modern kimono.
Veronica's Take
Genbei Yamaguchi, the tenth-generation head of Kyoto's 285-year-old Kondaya Genbei, is a master obi and silk weaver who has single-handedly revived the near-extinct Koishimaru silk, a fabric once reserved for the imperial family. Born in 1948, Yamaguchi is fiercely committed to dragging his 18th-century obi house into the modern age, insisting that tradition only survives if it refuses to sit still. His work is a testament to the power of shokunin devotion, blending centuries-old techniques with contemporary flair to ensure the kimono remains relevant in today's world.
He revived a near-extinct Koishimaru silk and drags his 18th-century obi house forward, insisting tradition only survives if it refuses to sit still.
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The people behind Genbei Yamaguchi
Genbei Yamaguchi
profileObi & Silk Weaving
Tenth-generation head of Kyoto's 285-year-old Kondaya Genbei, reviving rare silk and obi-weaving techniques for the modern kimono.
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