WATABUN
ーLuxury Silk Products and Nishijin Textiles
Part of TENOKUNI NIPPON: a collaboration of six brands dedicated to connecting Japan’s handicrafts to the future.
Gound Floor /
Room No.5
About the Exhibitor
Founded in 1907, WATABUN has remained committed to its founding principle: “The joy of connecting through authenticity.”
For over a century, the company has dedicated itself to crafting obi belts that bring beauty and happiness to those who wear them.
Drawing on its deep expertise in silk, WATABUN has expanded its craftsmanship beyond traditional weaving. Its innovations include skincare products that harness the natural benefits of silk for the skin, formal ties woven with gold and platinum threads, and original fabric goods developed through the refined techniques of Nishijin weaving.
As WATABUN embraces new possibilities for silk and Nishijin textiles, its enduring mission is to preserve true craftsmanship, nurture its growth, and pass its spirit on to future generations.
About the Products
first silk —Experience the luxury of washing with kibiso silk
This body-wash towel and soap series is made from kibiso, known as the “first flush” of silk. Only a small fraction of each cocoon contains this precious material, which is rich in sericin, a protein similar to collagen and found here in its highest concentration than any other part of the cocoon.
Because sericin naturally dissolves in warm water, WATABUN created body-wash towels and soaps for bathing, allowing their benefits to be absorbed efficiently.
Historically, Japanese people, especially women, washed their faces and bodies with leftover kimono fabric scraps, having long known that silk leaves the skin smooth, refined, and beautifully polished.
Through first silk, the brand carries forward this everyday wisdom and aesthetic sensibility rooted in everyday Japanese life, sharing it with the world from Nishijin, Kyoto.
Nishijin-Ori Table Runner
Woven with the same carefully selected silk threads and techniques used for traditional obi belts, and featuring designs that harmonise with the times, this table runner brings the refined beauty of Nishijin craftsmanship into the modern home.
Since its founding, WATABUN has continued crafting obi belts in Kyoto’s Nishijin district, carrying on techniques and wisdom passed down through generations. While these traditions remain timeless, the brand also embraces new technologies and ideas to ensure its craftsmanship meets contemporary needs.
Photo by Masaki Ogawa