What kind of company are we?

These days, there might not be many people who have set up a Kaya before going to sleep. The specialty of the Kaya, known to be insect repellant, is that it has a more rough texture compared to other fabrics. For this reason, it possesses unique features as a cloth fabric such as higher breathability, ease to drying, and more. The Hototogisu Corporation is a company which manufactures "Kaya Fukin" using that kind of Kaya fabric. Because Kaya Fukin are made of 100% cotton, the longer you use it the softer the touch of it to your hands becomes. With a focus on our flagship Kaya Fukin, the "Sodateru Fukin," we are expanding our product lineup with items such as mats and blankets.

Here’s what’s great about

① Become obsessed with fabrics for people who "want the fabric to improve over time"
Immediately after purchase, the feel is crisp, but the longer you use this Kaya Fukin, the fibers spread apart and it develops into a texture which gently melts in your hands. Our flagship product also fits with the name, “Sodateru Fukin” (“a Fukin which improves over time”). In contrast to rayons, which lose strength when soaked with water, our 100% cotton Fukin is completely fine even if you wipe or wring out water with it. This fun to use, comfortable fabric was able to be created precisely because we originally planned to create a baby product in this project.

② We have a sewing machine of special make, only a few of which exist in Japan

Company strengths

We finish our Fukin by sewing together many pieces of Kaya fabric. As the texture of Kaya fabric is rough, it is often uneven, and sewing the fabric together in layers is one of the most difficult tasks. As Hototogisu Corporation possesses a sewing machine of special make of which there are only five in Japan, we can perform this difficult layering with up to 12 layers. By changing the amount of layers we sew depending on the use, we can make a strong product with a friendly surface.

Techniques and Technology

① In conjunction with materials like gauze, we can sew Kaya fabric with up to 12 layers
② Even if the the product is big, we can sew it by hand
③ We can also apply illustrations or dyes to Kaya fabric

Things Hototogisu is not equipped for

① As Kaya fabric tends towards shrinkage, solid objects can ruin its form

※ front: fabric washed several times / back: fabric before being washed

The Main Products We Make

Kaya Fukin (Sodateru Fukin)
Among Kaya outdated in repelling insects, with attention to the breathability and absorbency characteristic of the Kaya, we have created a Fukin which increases familiarity to human touch each time you use it. The feel of our Kaya, able to be used roughly, simple and familiar to the touch, is only possible because it is 100% cotton. We make our products considering the point of view of women and babies, for example, our Fukin is made with a size fitting tightly to the hands of a woman. Precisely because it must be washed and wringed out everyday, our aim is a pleasant product which you can use freely in your living circumstances. Incidentally, blankets made with our fabric are comfortable and will help babies go to sleep right away.

Inner workings of the factory

① Sewing Kaya Fabric Together in Layers

Layering together Kaya fabric which often has imperfections due to its rough texture such as sewing slipping to the left or right, we sew with rare machines. We can alter the number of layers sewn in accordance with the product, add a Gauze with a soft feel to the uppermost layer, and our Fukin can also go on to develop a texture with an even better feel. Fukin fabrics which have developed significantly have a comfort which will leave you addicted after a single touch.

② Increasing the Strength of the Fukin with Blind Stitching

After firmly sewing together several layers of fabric, we increase the strength of the edges with strong blind stitching. Like hand towels, if the edges are left unfinished, the fabric will become frayed. However, for Kaya Fukin, wiping, washing, wringing …even if you use it for a long time the fabric is hard to tear.

The love from the maker

The three establishing members originally worked as manufacturers of baby-use underwear. After receiving requests in business such as, "I wish there was this sort of product," they became independent and started up a Fukin manufacturing company. Among the Fukin appearing in markets around the world, many of the Fukin being used are cheap rayons. However, as rayons lose strength and instantly tear upon touching water, the multiplication of microorganisms is of concern. We want to make Fukin of 100% natural material which are comfortable to the skin of women and babies. While being told, "Isn't it difficult with this timing?", we jumped boldly into the domestic sewing industry.

Our flagship product, the "Sodateru Fukin," which was born from many trials from the user's point of view, after we customized machines inherited from a still intact closed factory, is a 30cm×30cm square, made with a size taking into consideration the ease of use in women's hands. The fibers are more fluffy the more you use it, so we hope you can sense the first rate texture.

Considering that the special qualities and attraction of the Kaya Fukin could be experienced in various contexts, we are presently working with the manufacture of mats and blankets. There is not much of awareness to the fact that Fukin cost a lot of money. Currently, many companies are selling them as consumable goods with a uniform price of 100 yen, but we think that it would be good if there was something that could stay with you for a long time in your daily life. Through this AWRD, we would be very happy to be able to make a product of which the value increases over time in this manner.

Official eCommerce Website：https://hototogisu.official.ec/

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