Kobo Oriza is a small textile company tucked away beside the Aoto River in Imabari, Ehime. The company was founded in 2010 when a craftsman and his daughter decided to scour Japan in search of old looms that were no longer being used. When their search was over, the collection of looms were then taken apart and reassembled using what was left of each loom’s working parts.

A one-of-a-kind machine was created called Kijaku Ichiretsuki. This machine operates at a slower speed and with a looser tension to create a fabric that has character and warmth that can be felt on the skin. Because of the speed, this loom can only complete 30 scarves a day, but each one is made with the utmost care.

All aspects of production are done in the studios of Kobo Oriza. These processes include (but are not limited to!) product design, spinning yarn, warping, weaving, washing, and tasseling. The Kijaku Ichiretsuki loom can only complete 30 scarves a day, but each one is made with the utmost care.

It is a keen goal for Kobo Oriza to make sure that heritage and tradition are remembered in a way that they become a source of inspiration and innovation. Imabari has long prospered as a cotton fabric production center, specifically known to be the place that towels are made in Japan. With these things in mind, the craftsman of Kobo Oriza is always eager to include younger generations in production. Through each generation, the craft of this place can extend through time and bring joy and comfort to everyone.