Addressing social issues

At Re:ADY B, we address three or more of the following four social issues in all product manufacturing processes. This project aims to solve social issues related to employment support for people with disabilities, the issue of kimono waste, the preservation of traditional culture, and the way women work.

Hands setting a zip into blue fabric at a sewing machine, part of how Re:ADY B pieces are made

Working in a welfare facility

A model's waist and hips in front of scrap material: a skirt layered from colourful kimono fabric, reflected in water

Disposal of kimono

The back of a kimono with a gold-thread obi tied in a decorative knot, the traditional obi pattern shown large

Preservation of traditional culture

A woman handling brown wrapping paper at a workbench, an image of how women work here

Women's working style

Dying cultures

The brand was established after I received a large number of kimonos when an acquaintance passed away.
Kimonos lying dormant in many households' wardrobes, unless they are in good condition and accompanied by a box proving their brand, are often worthless and continue to be discarded.

Every time I open the "tatoshi" paper wrapping a kimono, I am moved by its beauty, and at the same time,
I feel a sense of dread that such beautiful traditional craftsmanship was almost discarded.

We are exploring all possible uses for kimonos, from those with splendid embroidery and beautiful Japanese patterns to plain kimonos used for everyday wear, mourning clothes, and even their scraps,
and aim to develop products with designs that suit modern lifestyles.

Full-length shot of a model in front of a pile of scrap material, wearing a layered kimono-fabric skirt reflected in a puddle

The ever-increasing "background"

Our representative, having personally experienced losing all work opportunities after childbirth, has been striving to realize "a world where everyone can work with purpose, regardless of their life stage or circumstances."

According to statistics, individuals with disabilities working in Type B employment support services earn an average wage of 243 yen per hour nationwide.
Currently, the number of people experiencing mental health issues continues to rise, with some predictions even suggesting that one in five people may eventually hold a disability certificate.

During our visit to North America for the Re:ADY B project's market research, we learned that there, fair compensation is paid for results, regardless of whether a person has a disability or not. We realized that this is precisely the world we aspire to create.

Re:ADY B aims to grow together with all those involved through fair transactions.

Partner Company Introduction

Re:ADY B develops products in collaboration with various companies and organizations.

Work at Dandelion, a Type B continuous employment support facility: finishing pieces at a sewing machine

Dandelion Type B Employment Support Office

A portion of the product sewing work is outsourced to "Dandelion," operated by small.step Inc. They are primarily responsible for producing our flagship product, the "8-way crutchbag." They are a partner company that can be considered the "origin" of Re:ADY B.

small.step Inc. (Operating Company)
4303-1 Miyauchi, Hatsukaichi City
Representative: Tomomi Yasukawa

Inside One or Eight Co., Ltd., a partner we source kimono and obi from: a recycle shop lined with furniture and tableware

One or Eight Co., Ltd.

We are collaborating with One or Eight Co., Ltd., which operates a recycling shop while providing estate-clearing and pre-death decluttering services based on the concept of "bridging the gap from those who don't need it to those who do," regarding the procurement of kimonos and obis.

3-24-33 Gion, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima City
Representative: Tadashi Hara

The representative of NEUTRAL Inc., a partner we source kimono from, standing at the entrance to the shop

NEUTRAL Co., Ltd.

We are collaborating with NEUTRAL Co., Ltd. as a supplier of kimonos that come in large quantities during estate cleanouts and other events. They purchase a wide variety of items and have provided us with many kimonos and obi.

3rd Kajikawa Building, 1-14-21 Iguchi-dai, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima City
Representative: Yuya Shin

Inside Nagasta, the base of a partner company we source kimono and obi from, with tableware and other goods on the shop floor

Tokorabo LLC

We are collaborating with Tokorabo LLC, a company that operates a rental space, upcycling business, and community events in Tsuda, Hatsukaichi City, on the procurement of kimonos and obi. Through their "Nagasta" initiative, they connect people through upcycling of goods, services, and places, and are also involved in employment support.

4191-6 Tsuda, Hatsukaichi City
Representatives: Moe Kanazawa, Mayu Kuroki

Work at the Aozora facility: hands unpicking a pink floral kimono back into a single length of cloth

Aozora Type B Employment Service Office

As preparation for making clothes, the task of dismantling kimonos is outsourced to "Aozora," an employment service office for women operated by Katsuya Wasai Co., Ltd. Katsuya Wasai Co., Ltd., which operates the office, is a company that has been committed to training female kimono tailors through kimono sewing and has created a female-friendly work environment.

1-14-9 Kannon Honmachi, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima City
Representative: Mr. Yasuji Azuma

Accessory making by people at CHIMED, a transition-to-employment support facility: setting kimono offcuts in resin

CHIMED Supported Employment Office

We collaborate with CHIMED, a supported employment office where people with disabilities, such as depression and developmental disorders, attend to aim for general employment. As part of their employment support, CHIMED conducts light work, such as making accessories from kimono scraps, twice a week at our facilities.

2-5-5 Yokogawa-cho, Nishi-ku, Hiroshima City
Business Unit Manager: Teppei Terayama

Sakiori weaving at HAP-lab: strips torn from kimono being woven on a hand loom

HAP-lab General Incorporated Association

We are jointly developing interior products such as wall hangings and mats with HAP-B, a Type B welfare service that promotes manufacturing using local resources, where people with diverse personalities can thrive. We are utilizing the "sakiori" weaving technique, where discarded kimonos are torn into strips and hand-woven. HAP-B handles the entire process from tearing the kimonos to weaving them.

Muraoka Building 2F, 4-1 Hashimotohigashi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City
Representative: Naruyo Maki

Making pieces at the community space Ponpon, working by hand at an outdoor bench

Community Hot Space Pompon

We outsource the production of brooches made from kimono fabric scraps to Community Hot Space Pompon, which is operated by NPO Community Leader Hurepon. This organization supports children's developmental needs and helps people with disabilities participate in society. We are also currently developing a new product using tatogami (paper used to wrap kimonos).

6-28-15 Kawauchi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima-shi
Representative: Takashi Kawaguchi

Pieces made by people attending WISH Inc.: obi-fabric scrunchies alongside floral and multicoloured obi cloth

WISH Co., Ltd.

WISH Co., Ltd. provides employment transition support for people with physical, intellectual, and visual disabilities. They offer various work opportunities, including in-house tasks and facility employment. They also provide guidance on using public transportation and etiquette training to support daily living. Individuals who are skilled at hand-sewing create the strap parts for obi straps and scrunchies.

Asahi Building 201, 1-15-1 Jomachi, Mihara City
Representative: Kenji Yamada

Work at the Waiwai Kobo employment support facility: pinning red floral kimono fabric ready for sewing

Special Medical Corporation, Daijikukai Waiwai Kobo

Waiwai Kobo is an employment support service that helps individuals who want to work. They collaborate with related organizations to support people in leading fulfilling lives in their communities through employment.
We commission a client, who loves sewing so much that they even remake their own clothes, to sew garments for us.

9-25-18 Nakano-cho, Mihara City
Manager: Goshiro Tanaka

Handwork at Kizuna no Sato: stitching red cloth for an obijime strap

Social Welfare Corporation Wakana Kizuna no Sato

This is an organization that supports individuals according to their needs to help them "shine by specializing" in what they are good at and what they love, achieving their desire to "work." We have asked them to tie obijime for obijime straps using the same knotting method as mizuhiki, and then sew them into place.

997-1 Kawakita, Kanna-cho, Fukuyama-shi, Hiroshima Prefecture
Chairman: Tatsuya Fujimoto

The future of Re:ADY B

Re:ADY B aims to create an environment where everyone involved can work in a rewarding and true way.
Our philosophy is to grow both our business and our people.
Using the power of beautiful materials already existing in the world (such as kimonos and obi), born from the techniques that Japan has cultivated since ancient times,
We will tackle the issue of mass waste in the apparel industry and build a new brand concept.

First, we will work with domestic companies and organizations to expand the scale of the project by making Setouchi Mirai Design the hub for the project.
We will grow into a JAPAN brand that the world can be proud of.

Setouchi Mirai Design Co., Ltd. Representative Director: Noda Karin