Farmers' MONPE Creative Challenge No.3 Kasuri Production Area Exchange, navy blue/ eel bed

Kurume Kasuri Creative Challenge First Farmers

The "Kurume Kasuri Creative Challenge" is a project to challenge the possibilities of Kurume Kasuri by applying and newly utilizing techniques and technologies such as thread binding, dyeing, and weaving.

No. 3 is a collaboration to learn about Iyo kasuri through Kurume kasuri, which is the only remaining industry in Japan, and to search for patterns from the archives of Iyo kasuri fabrics in the Kurume museum collection.

Iyo Kasuri

Iyo-kasuri is a cotton fabric that has been produced in the area around Matsuyama City in Ehime Prefecture. In Iyo, cotton cultivation spread along the coast of the Seto Inland Sea in the mid-Edo period, and striped cotton called Iyo yuki (Iyo stripe) was produced as a side job for farmers. Along with Kurume kasuri and Bingo kasuri, Iyo yuki was one of the "three major kasuri" in Japan, and was widely used by commoners for daily wear and as bedding material.

In the fabric archives of Shirakata Kogyo, which still manufactures these fabrics today, we have found several striped and checked patterns using madara-patterned threads, but at this stage we do not know if the threads are dyed in kukuri and used irregularly or how they are actually made. It seems that trial and error is being repeated with obvious intention.

As the word "chusen" suggests, it is a technique for dyeing threads and fabrics by "pouring" dye. The Chikugo Dyeing and Weaving Cooperative Association, which produces the yarn used in this project,has adopted modern pour-dyeing techniques. Dye is sprayed from a tube on the machine to dye the threads and fabrics.

The "modern-style MONPE" developed by Eel's Bed is slimmer around the hips and below the knees. This " Farmer's MONPE " has a looser silhouette, closer to the old-fashioned MONPE. It is the best relaxing wear that lets you know the history and at the same time can be worn without feeling tight.

You can tell the difference in size and fabric.

［How to choose MONPE] is here.

Kurume Kasuri, which excels in breathability, water absorbency, and quick-drying properties

The fabric is Kurume Kasuri from the Chikugo region of southern Fukuoka Prefecture. It is woven loosely and softly on a vintage shuttle loom, so it is breathable and comfortable to wear. The more you use it, the more comfortable it becomes, and it dries quickly due to its high water absorbency.

Thick and durable. The more it is washed, the softer it becomes.

All of our standard monpae (thick) are made of knotted yarn called "nep," which gives the fabric a puffy appearance. (*Not a furball.) Depending on how often they are worn and washed, after a few years the knots will be removed somewhat and the fabric will settle down a little.

Farmers' MONPE" follows the old-fashioned monpe

This is a MONPE with generally loose lines, similar to the shape of an old-fashioned MONPE. Compared to modern-style MONPE, it has a wider silhouette around the hips and from the knees to the calves. It is recommended for those who want to wear it loosely, for those who use it for work or exercise, and for those who are concerned about the narrowness below the knees of the modern-style MONPE.

Basic Specifications

Size Chart

Unisex size

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