The KOSHO brand has won several prestigious local and international awards including the "Hidden – Unveiling Japanese Design“, "OMOTENASHI Selection" and "The Wonder 500™" for its unique Japanese design, folding like traditional Japanese fans; and their craftsmanship, using Japanese materials and specialized craftsmen from different regions.
KOSHO founder Mr. Ogawa started his career training in the traditional hand dying art of Kyoto: Kyo-Yuzen; a technique of painting dye directly onto cloth used to hand-paint kimono. After 10 years of learning to master the skill, Ogawa decided to take his art to the next level. With KOSHO he created a brand that combines his passion for design, textures, dyes and the authenthic beauty of Japan. With now over 35 years of experience, he skilfully designs beautiful bags, pouches and accessories that are hand-sewn, hand-dyed and designed with a story in mind.
The materials, like cotton and denim, are sourced from specialized craftsmen from all over Japan, so that the final products are of excellent quality in every detail.
MADE IN KYOTO
Ogawa bases his designs on the beautiful views around him in his aterlier in Kyoto. The colors, seasons, traditional buildings and vibrant nature all form his most important inspiration and can be recognized in his collections. From the red colors of traditional shrines, gold colors of the famous temples, pink colors of the sakura cherry blossoms, and the blue of morning glories blooming in a local townhouse!
With the Kyo-yuzen also originating in Kyoto, Ogawa wants to pay homage to the beauty, traditions and authenticity of Japan's old capital.
OUGI Folding Beauty
KOSHO's most famous collection is the OUGI line-up. Inspired by the folds of Kimono, the canvas bag looks like a plain bag at first, but has a surprising effect, revealing beautiful colors on the inside! Just like how a kimono sometimes has a beautiful color or pattern on the inside.
Inspired by the thought of finding beauty in unexpected places, on the "inside" and the elegant ways of showing beauty in Japanese culture, you can carry the bag with the folds open or closed. The design has been received with praise and is displayed in several museums and shops around the world, including the US, France and Singapore.
In response to customer requests for smaller bags and items, the "pleats" collection was created, with the same concept, just with a single fold in the center.
