[Sha]
Sha is one type of gauze fabric made from silk used for Summer kimono. It is a Leno weave fabric that has more feel of transparency than Ro kimono, and used for semi-formal and daily kimono. Sha has several kinds such as Mon-sha that has woven pattern and Shayu made of Tsumugi threads.
Generally the season of Sha is the hottest time in Japan between middle of July and August, however it is possible to wear Sha in July and September when you wear a color juban under Sha kimono.
[Kawashima Selkon]
A Nishijin brocade store of long standing since 1843.
In 1843, the 1st Kawashima Jinbē established it.
In 1879, Benjirō succeeded the 2nd Jinbē, the 2nd head of the family.
In 1888, Benjirō manufactured ornamental textiles in the room of the Meiji Palace. He turned out to be the first artisan of ornamental textiles in the country. Thus, he became the first purveyor for a palace room in the country.
In 1910, the 2nd Jinbē died. The 3rd Kawashima Jinbē succeeded the head of the family.
In 1938, he reformed the store to a corporate organization, and established “Kawashima Orimono Jinbē Inc. Store”.
The next year he changed the store’s name to “Kawashima Orimonosyo Inc.”.
In 1957, he changed it to “Kawashima Orimono Inc.”.
* ”orimono” means “textile” or “fabric”.
In 1974, Jinbē producted ornamental textlies within the room of Akasaka Palace. Jinbē received a praise from the Prime Minister at that time.
In 1996, Jinbē took part in a restored article of the Shosoin treasures, “Ashiginu Itten”.
In 2005, he supplied one of his works, “Reika” (rei = beautiful or elegant, ka = flower), which is a type of Tuzureori wall pictures at the dinner room of Kyoto Guest House.