A place where creative ideas take shape.
With their attention to detail and—in the best sense of the word—unconventional ideas, Rajabrock’s items gradually win you over. From everyday wear that even fashion connoisseurs approve of to accessories that anyone can easily pick up, the brand’s unique character shines through in the wide range of styles that delight the eye.
The star of this collection, the “Super Water-Repellent FUROSHIKI,” is a masterpiece that showcases the brand’s signature approach—placing iconic batik patterns on items that embody a distinctly Japanese aesthetic, such as “ASIAN BATIK TENUGUI”—a product that embodies the brand’s roots—this masterpiece showcases the distinctive Rajabrook concept of overlaying iconic batik patterns onto items that exude a distinctly Japanese aesthetic. The manufacturing is handled by a company based in Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture, “Asakura Senpu Co., Ltd.(“Hereinafter referred to as Asakura Senpu”). Even today, more than 130 years after its founding, the company continues to engage in research and development of new processing technologies, giving rise to a variety of cutting-edge technologies, including moisture-absorbing and quick-drying treatments.
One of the most prominent examples of this technology in use is competitive swimming suits. In a sport where rankings are decided by differences of just 0.1 seconds, minimizing water resistance is the most critical factor—it’s no exaggeration to say that the quality of the swimsuit can significantly influence a swimmer’s ranking. The fact that this technology is used in the swimsuits of top athletes around the world is a true testament to its reliability.
Kiryu has long been known as one of Japan’s leading textile-producing regions, so much so that it has been called “Nishijin in the West, Kiryu in the East.” Thanks to its environment blessed with abundant natural beauty and its early adoption of cutting-edge technology, the industry flourished remarkably, and many buildings that evoke the atmosphere of that era still remain today.
Among these, the “sawtooth roof”—said to have been the mainstream style during the Industrial Revolution—left a particularly strong impression on me. This structure was adopted by textile and dyeing factories to ensure a steady, even supply of natural light, and it appears to be carefully preserved as a valuable piece of industrial heritage.
In Kiryu, a town where such quintessentially Japanese characteristics remain deeply rooted, “Nagare”—an original water-repellent furoshiki by Asakura Senpu—was created to preserve and share this tradition with the public. It was that recognized the value in this commitment to tradition and the product’s exceptional practicality.
The greatest appeal of “Nagare” is its use of Dewelry®0, a proprietary non-fluorinated water-repellent finish. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which have long been used to achieve water- and oil-repellent properties, are now subject to stricter regulations worldwide due to environmental concerns. It was the knowledge and experience that “Asakura Senpu” had cultivated over many years that turned this challenge into an opportunity.
Thanks to the industry’s first PFAS-free water-repellent finish—which overcomes the weakness of conventional non-fluorinated water-repellent finishes, namely their susceptibility to sebum and oils—the company has reportedly succeeded in creating a material that is both environmentally and people-friendly, while maintaining the same high level of water repellency and durability as traditional products.
