History
The history of KUME dates back to 1909 when the founder of the brand was born. After ten years of training in the local textile industry, he started the first KUME workshop in 1935. During the war he was forced to close down, but once the war ended he continued working on his goal: producing domestically made t-shirts, as one of the first in Japan. At the time t-shirts were not commonly worn in Japan yet, so they made sure to produce comfortable garments in 12 different colors, to appeal to many people.
Over time they managed to create awareness and appreciation of t-shirts in general, and their impecable KUME quality specifically. 50 years later they have won awards for their high quality t-shirt composition, as well as the designs - both of which are managed in-house to ensure optimal quality.
Now run by the 4th generation of the KUME family, they more than ever are dedicated to share top quality t-shirts with the world, with Japan-inspired colors and prints to celebrate their heritage.
"JAPAN QUALITY"
KUME's promise is excellent Japanese quality. From material selection to cutting, sewing, and finishing - they work with highly skilled craftsmen specialized in each individual process. The cotton is carefully spun, soft to touch and very durable. The sewing is done in a way that reduces breakage of the threads when the t-shirt is taken off again and again, so it can be enjoyed for a long time.
SEWING: KUME works with "specialists"; each department is subdivided by sewing part, such as sleeves, shoulders, collars and hems. Sewers focus on fine-tuning each part individually for accuracy and perfection. Each sewing machine can therefore be personalized to the experienced seamstress so they can work comfortably and with enthusiasm and pride.
PRINTING: The KUME printing factory is led by Seiji Otsuki, who has been working for more than 50 years and has won the Golden Squeegee Award, the highest award at the print show sponsored by the International Federation of Screen Printing. KUME continues to use water-based ink, over oil-based ink, to minimizes environmental impact and optimize work safety.
Sustainability
Japan-grown Cotton:
KUME uses high quality cotton. Fans of the KUME brand often applaud the softness of the T-shirts and the longevity of the T-shirts and their prints. They are both beautiful and comfortable! They are a member of the NPO Japan Organic Cotton Association and use organic cotton where possible.
Use of Green Energy:
In 2009 KUME decided to move the production sites to green energy. Since then all KUME T-shirts are produced using a mix of solar, wind and hydroelectric power, using the 12% renewable energy power plan.
They are certified under the Japanese Green Power Certificate System.
Re use, Re cycle, and Re duce:
After selecting high quality materials, KUME controls the whole manufacturing process. They use circular knitted (tube-shaped) fabrics with a seamless design to reduce the amount of scraps when cutting, making a big difference in the long run. They follow the 3Rs where possible for all raw materials.
Sake Brewery Collection
This collection is made in collaboration with traditional sake breweries. The t-shirts are decorated with the sake labels of brewers that have been "protecting" part of Japanese culture and brewing skills. The designs represent brewers from all over the country, established even during the Taisho or Meiji era, to celebrate the rich cultural history of Japan and to ensure their future by creating awareness with a younger, international audience.
Hokusai Collection
Katsushika Hokusai was a Japanese artist for Ukiyo-e woodblock prints, which' works are celebrated all over the world for their beautiful portrayal of Japanese aestethics. Sharing their birthplace of Tokyo, and admiring Hokusai's art and lifestyle, KUME dedicated one of their collections to Hokusai's works. Their high quality printing skills and ink make the patterns come alive, making for unique t-shirts to express your passion for Japan and Japanese arts.
