Refreshed: 1 April 2025
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2024

Collaborate widely to explore our questions about kimono. Share the process with others, even when there are no answers. Set a goal of continuing annual exhibitions for a decade. These were the concepts behind the launch of the first YSN.

31 people

This project, a new initiative of YASHIRONI, involved many more collaborators than originally anticipated, beginning with director Shinichi Suda, art director Natsuko Yoneyama and designer for contemporary objects and interiors Siin Siin. These core members discussed each part of the project and worked with partners to realize the exhibition.

15 months

YSN took shape over one year and two months from the start of the project to the opening of the exhibition. The timeline below traces the journey.
2023 March: Exhibition research starts with director Shinichi Suda.⇒ June: Project name and overall concept decided, art director Yoneyama joins.⇒ September: Discussion of spatial design with Siin Siin based on preliminary design and proposal, and data analysis with BASSDRUM for the “Measure” part of the exhibition.⇒ November: Research on kimono with néné petit for the “Move” part.⇒ December: Approach to scanning fabrics decided with BASSDRUM.⇒ 2024 February: Tomoko Kawaguchi of the Edo-Tokyo Museum joins to curate patterns. Authors commissioned to write "Open Book."⇒ March: Production of fixtures and filming of the "movement" part of the exhibition begins.⇒ April: Announcement of exhibition. Press release sent out.⇒ May: Exhibition opens.

1,248 visitors

Held as an associated program of the annual KYOTOGRAPHIE festival, the 12-day exhibition attracted many more visitors than originally expected, of whom approximately half were connected to the Japanese traditional apparel industry. Positive reactions were a primary reason for the large number of visitors.

5/15/25/35/45/55/6
80人*40人*92人108人123人82人*
5/75/85/95/105/115/12
83*112人116人77人*172人163人

11 media

Publicity began with a press release one month before the start of the exhibition sent to a wide range of Japanese traditional apparel, fashion, art, and design publications. Eleven outlets introduced the exhibition.

経済誌日経MJ
和装業界紙信用情報、染織新報
着物雑誌美しいきもの(SNS掲載)
ファッションGIRL HOUYHNHNM、VOGUE JAPAN、SUPUR.JP、装苑オンライン、FASHIONSNAP、GINZA(SNS掲載)
カルチャー花椿
デザインAXIS Web
アートART NEWS JAPAN
25,200 dpi

For the “Measure” part, BASSDRUM tech directors helped to reveal the structure and function of the textured surface of“omeshi”fabric, using techniques such as CT scans, 3D modeling, and 25,200 dpi high-resolution scans. (1) Enlarged 3D-printed model next to actual fabric. (2) CT scan data shown on spatial reproduction display and manipulable via game controller. (3) Data and experimental process shown to visitors using Milanote app. (4) Omeshi kimono on display for visitors to touch.

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241 patterns

The “Open Book” part offered a contemporary perspective on 241 patterns contained in a catalog from the late Edo period in the YASHIRONI collection. Collaborators from the worlds of design, art, and technology applied various visual and textual approaches to rediscover the value of patterns composed of stripes, splashes and other features.

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1,571 pictures

For the “Move” part, néné petit considered photographic settings where kimono can shine within contemporary life. 1,571 photos captured less formal uses of kimono in transit spaces such as trains, stations, and a bus stop.

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311 sheets

For the “Question” part, visitors shared their questions and thoughts about kimono on slips of paper. These will be the basis for research during the decade-long YSN project that began in 2024.

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