Tell us about Blooming Nakanishi.

Blooming Nakanishi was founded in 1879 and operates under three pillars: wholesale, retail, and OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). Our company creates a wide range of textile products such as handkerchiefs, pouches, reusable bags, towels, and hotel linens. We have also developed three house brands: CLASSICS the Small Luxury (CSL), a specialized handkerchief brand born from the desire to deliver ‘subtle luxury' through years of craftsmanship, bloomie’s, for children's handkerchiefs that encourage learning and play, and Nokton, for elegant and sophisticated hotel linens.

How did Blooming Nakanishi start?

Our founder Gihey Nakanishi opened a home goods store in Fukiyacho, Nihonbashi (now Ningyocho) Tokyo in 1879. The store sold Western-style umbrellas, gloves, and handkerchiefs, which were considered very unusual back then. These Western goods were spotlighted as symbols of the phenomenon of Westernization called Bunmei-kaika which led to major changes in institutions and customs during the Meiji era. 

Since then, we have remained committed to the idea of a single piece of cloth that connects creators and customers.

Where do the inspirations for new handkerchief designs come from?

We draw design inspiration from everyday life—such as the changing seasons and conversations with family and friends. This is a driving force for us because we see a handkerchief as a tool for communication between people.

What do you want your customers to feel through your products?

We hope to bring color to their daily lives, satisfy and soothe their hearts, and provide them with a sense of luxury. We would be grateful if our handkerchiefs could serve as a way to connect people, whether from taking time to choose a gift for someone special or as a treat for yourself.

What does a typical day at the office look like?

Each member of the CSL management team plays an important role. They are involved in tasks including product planning and development, PR, marketing, and customer service. Sales activities such as presenting proposals to clients and offering excellent customer support are also essential. Although each of us has a different daily schedule, every team member works hard toward achieving their goals every day.

Despite handkerchiefs being a simple product, Blooming Nakanishi makes many unique variations, such as the Hikkomi series. Could you explain the process of developing your handkerchiefs?

Although a handkerchief is traditionally a square shape, what we choose to represent within it is up to us. Sometimes it’s important to be flexible enough to alter even a fixed shape. Using a handkerchief as a canvas, we want to create designs that are enjoyable to hold and worth showing off to others, that also can’t be found anywhere else. We have cultivated techniques and technologies over the years through trial and error that we will continue to apply to our products.

How are Blooming Nakanishi’s handkerchiefs different from other handkerchief brands in Japan?

CSL’s handkerchiefs are made from high-quality materials and feature seasonal designs and beautiful patterns. The strength of our brand lies in details such as handkerchiefs made from Sea Island cotton, known as the 'jewel of fibers'; unique, unconventional shapes; and the hand-rolled edges seen in the SIC 108-color series. Skilled artisans carry out the hand-rolling process piece by piece, which adds a soft, airy texture to the handkerchiefs and plays a vital role in preserving traditional craftsmanship.

What are your thoughts on expanding your products to the U.S. market?

Although handkerchiefs originated in Western culture, Japan is the only country with a mature, dedicated market for them. In Japan, people primarily use handkerchiefs to wipe their hands or sweat, but many also see them as a fashion item. We want to share the culture of handkerchiefs with people around the world, not just as a useful tool, but also as a fashionable accessory.

Our company’s motto is 'From Nihonbashi Ningyocho to the world,' and we feel that entering the U.S. market is a big step forward.

How does the company incorporate sustainable practices (SDGs)?

We believe that using reusable handkerchiefs is a sustainable practice in itself. We also recycle textile waste from the manufacturing process and from unused handkerchiefs by creating materials that are used in the gift packaging used by CSL.

In recent years, we have been working on developing handkerchiefs made from sustainable materials. One example is our handkerchiefs made from hemp. Hemp is resistant to diseases and pests, and can grow even in poor soil without pesticides or chemical fertilizers. The deep, widespread roots of hemp help cultivate the soil, and the plant has a relatively high CO2 absorption rate during growth.

As a company with over 100 years of history, what are your thoughts on the next 10 years of Blooming Nakanishi?

Over the next ten years, we will continue to provide meticulous care to each piece of cloth, valuing tradition while fearlessly pursuing new challenges. We believe that adapting to the constantly changing times is important, and that we need a fusion of tradition and innovation that incorporates new technologies and trends.

We carry a collection of Blooming Nakanishi products, which you can shop here.