Launched in 2011 as part of the Great East Japan Earthquake reconstruction assistance
Otsuchi Sashiko Project.
Sashiko is a traditional Tohoku technique.
It provides peace of mind for women living in shelters,
Gradually, it became a job.
Then, on March 11, 2024, 13 years after the disaster,
Operator of the fashion brand "Quon
With the cooperation of MOONSHOT, the Otsuchi Sashiko Project
They made a new start as "Sashiko Gals.
There are 15 members ranging in age from their 40s to 80s.
Sashiko items created by their handiwork are
Highly acclaimed even beyond the seas,
It shows the potential of Sashiko and the future of reconstruction.
PROFILE
Born in Nagano Prefecture in 1964, he has been active as a stylist and fashion director since the 1990s, and in May 2022, he will open the select store "EDISTORIAL STORE" in his hometown of Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture. In March 2025, he plans to hold an exhibition and events under his direction at the Tokyo Creative Salon.
PROFILE
Born in Tokyo in 1978. After graduating from university, he worked in the legal industry before founding Moonshot Inc. in 2012 and launching the fashion brand "KUON" in 2016. After the Great East Japan Earthquake, he has been involved in reconstruction assistance activities in the affected areas, and in March 2024, he launched "Sashiko Gals".
Hiroshi Ozawa fell in love with these stitching sneakers.
You traveled to Otsuchi-cho, Iwate Prefecture, where Sashiko Gals is based, to participate in the project.
Ozawa: In terms of encounters, it was actually very recent. I contacted "Sashiko Gals" to make contact, and Mr. Fujiwara replied. That was in September 2024.
Fujiwara: That's right. Of course, I had known Ozawa-san for a long time.
Ozawa: Of course, I knew about the "Quon" brand, but I didn't know that if you traced "Sashiko Gals" you would end up at "Quon.
What was Mr. Ozawa's contact for?
Ozawa: This March, an event called "Tokyo Creative Salon" will be held. It is an event related to fashion, art, and culture, and 10 areas in Tokyo will be the stage, and I will be involved as the creative director of the Marunouchi area. I was to be involved as the creative director for the Marunouchi area, and I wanted to introduce Sashiko Gyaru's as one of the contents of the event, so I made contact with them.
What attracted you to "Sashiko Gals"?
Ozawa: Sashiko Gals" makes a variety of items, but I think the sneakers are representative. Sashiko is "Japanese" and sneakers are "Western," right? These combinations are usually incompatible. You could say that even if they were fused together, it would be difficult to give form to them. However, the "Sashiko Gals" sneakers have a nice coexistence of the two, and I found that appealing.
Sashiko sneakers are a representative product of Sashiko Gals. Sashiko stitching is applied to the upper, upper sole, and even the sole to create a new look with a Japanese atmosphere. The design changes depending on the individuality of the craftsman, and of course, each pair is one-of-a-kind.
You also ordered your own sneakers, didn't you, Ozawa-san?
Ozawa: I was thinking of having my Nike tennis shoes, which I bought but never wore, stitched. When I looked at the past works of "Sashiko Gals," I saw a lot of "New Balance" shoes, so I wanted to see something different.
Mr. Ozawa ordered the "AIR TRAINER I" by Nike.
Fujiwara: The approach changes depending on whether it is a model that we have done in the past or a model that is new to us. In that sense, this sneaker for Mr. Ozawa is the first model I've been asked to work on, so it will be a repetition of stabbing and removing. The 2002 and 990 series from New Balance have a certain format, so I can move right along.
Ozawa: How long does it take to complete?
Fujiwara: Even for a model I'm familiar with, it takes less than 30 hours for one pair. Since this is my first model, it may take twice as long. Also, it is impossible to continue stitching continuously. It is hard to concentrate and my arms lose strength. So, in terms of days, it might take me about a month.
