- DIRECTOR’S NOTE
- The Clothing Environment
- Yamatomichi’s
“Zero Waste Manufacturing” - 1. Avoiding overproduction
- 2. Avoiding waste in manufacturing
- 3. Making only products that we consider to be of the highest quality
- Learn about the manufacturing environment
- Products born from “Zero Waste Manufacturing”
- 1. Upcycling Products
- 2. Products made from unused fabrics
- 3. Products made from past fabrics and B rank fabrics
- PLAYLIST
Here at Yamatomichi, we only manufacture products that we consider to be of the highest quality and value. We do not overproduce to avoid waste, and we have sought ways to ensure that our products reach customers who truly want them by offering them via pre-order. However, we have always been concerned about leftover fabrics, which are an inevitable part of the manufacturing process.
To address this, we have launched a project called “Zero Waste Manufacturing”, where we create products using stock fabrics that were created for all sorts of reasons. This feature introduces these products and summarizes our approach to manufacturing as well as our environmental initiatives.
DIRECTOR’S NOTE
It is natural to come face to face with trash when hiking. This is especially the case when hiking long distances, when food-related trash can accumulate, making us uncomfortable and wondering why we are carrying so much trash around. Therefore, seasoned hikers repackage their food to minimize trash before they set out on a hike, trying to reduce their trash to the extent possible.
Ultralight (UL) hiking is hiking that focuses only on essential gear and aims to eliminate superfluous items. This “no waste” attitude is an important concept in UL hiking. Our “zero waste manufacturing” approach is also based on our experiences of “eliminating waste and producing no trash”, which we learned through hiking.
It is important to use recycled materials and to replace plastic straws with paper straws. However, isn’t this alone far from a fundamental solution to the problem of waste? What is important is to have a mentality revolving around taking good care of things, to consider what is essential, to refrain from excessive consumption, and to reduce unnecessary waste. Recycling is only one of the solutions to the problem.
We want to create the best products. We do not want to make useless things. On top of that, we also want to eliminate as much waste from our manufacturing processes as possible.
Just as we aim for great hiking experiences, we want to improve daily experiences, both in work and in everyday life.
The Clothing Environment
Did you know that the fashion industry is said to be the second biggest contributor to environmental pollution after the oil industry? Although Yamatomichi is not in the fashion industry, we produce many apparel products. In order to undertake this “Zero Waste Manufacturing” project, we believed that it was necessary to first familiarize ourselves with the prevailing situation. What are the problems, and what can we do to mitigate them? In order to understand the situation relating to fibers used to make clothing, as well as the global clothing production situation, we would like to introduce an infographic summary created by FASHION REVOLUTION JAPAN.
What is FASHION REVOLUTION?
FASHION REVOLUTION is a global campaign to increase transparency in the fashion industry by asking the question “who made my clothes? #whomademyclothes”. It was launched in the UK in 2014, and its participants currently include more than 100 countries.
Yamatomichi’s
“Zero Waste Manufacturing”
We would like to introduce our initiatives relating to “Zero Waste Manufacturing”, which are aimed at manufacturing products that can be used with care, as well as building good recycling-oriented relationships between manufacturers, factories, and consumers.
1. Avoiding overproduction
We believe that it is important, not only for society and the environment, but also with respect to our own work, not to overproduce our products. We do not want to see the products that we made with love go unsold and unloved, with nowhere to go. Here at Yamatomichi, one of our solutions to the problem of overproduction is to sell some of our popular products via pre-order. By doing so, we can ensure that our products are delivered to customers who definitely want to have them. We have received inquiries asking us if we are intentionally reducing our production output to make our products rare, but we believe that not overproducing products also helps to lessen the impact on the environment.
2. Avoiding waste in manufacturing
Our “Zero Waste Manufacturing” project involves three elements: development of products using surplus fabric scraps, commercialization of small amounts of remaining fabric, and upcycling. We also commercialize surplus fabric that would normally be discarded due to damage and other reasons, and sell them as special offer products that are listed together with descriptions of the damage or issue. We were able to successfully commercialize even small-lot, multi-variety production, such as leftover fabrics several meters in length, thanks to our partner factories. This kind of production is inefficient and cannot be said to be profitable for a company, but we believe it is something that we must do.
3. Making only products that we consider to be of the highest quality
Yamatomichi has always valued the concept of “meticulously making products that we consider to be of the highest quality and products that we ourselves would want to use”. We believe it is because we have invested time into developing gear, which we have confidence in, that they are popular, and have sold well over long periods of time. We rarely discontinue our products. We want to make products that our customers will always treasure. That is why we put so much effort into repairs, and we do our best to handle every repair request we receive. Through the repair process, we are able to understand potential flaws of a product, and it is also an important channel of communication with our customers. Not only do we repair our products so that they are as good as new, but we also want to communicate with our customers so that they will even like the marks left behind from the repair.
Learn about the manufacturing environment
As we move forward with “zero waste manufacturing”, we thought that it was necessary to learn about the current state of the relationships between manufacturing and environmental issues around the world. We invited Ms. Io Takemura, co-chairperson of unisteps, an organization that serves as the Japan secretariat for FASHION REVOLUTION, a global campaign for improving the soundness of the fashion industry, to speak with us at “Yamatomichi Daibutsu Kenkyujo”. (Currently only available in Japanese)
Products born from “Zero Waste Manufacturing”
Although we make and sell items, our goal is to reduce waste to the extent possible. As our answer to the theme of “zero waste manufacturing”, which we have raised in this feature, we are releasing the following products.
These products are manufactured in small quantities, and there may be cases where only several pieces of a given product are available. Sales channels may also vary, including products that are exclusive to our directly-operated stores and/or online store. For more details, please refer to either the product information below, or the product pages of the respective products.
1. Upcycling Products
Upcycling projects with limited production runs
“We do not throw things away; instead, we deliver them to our customers”. The upcycled products that were born through our creative efforts to realize this mission include Merino wool items with holes that have been repaired with embroidery, and blankets and scarves made by combining leftover fabrics. We hope you will enjoy this new venture by Yamatomichi.
Yamatomichi Blanket
This blanket was made to use up leftover Merino wool milled fabric used for the cuffs and ribs of the Yamatomichi 100% Merino series. Mr. Hideyuki Yamano, of the graphic design firm TAKAIYAMA inc., was asked to express the image of mountains and roads in the design of this blanket. The comfortable texture unique to 100% Merino wool makes it ideal for slightly chilly seasons.
These are special blankets (approximately 20 pieces per pattern) made to use up leftover fabrics.
Color:01
production volume:19
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
Color:02
production volume:20
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
Color:03
production volume:20
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
Color:04
production volume:20
Sales channels:
山と道 京都
Color:05
production volume:22
Sales channels:
山と道 京都
Color:06
production volume:20
Sales channels:
山と道 京都
Color:07
production volume:21
Sales channels:
samplus(台湾)()
Color:08
production volume:20
Sales channels:
samplus(台湾)
Color:09
production volume:20
Sales channels:
samplus(台湾)
Yamatomichi Muffler
This limited production run special muffler(scarf) is made from leftover fabric from the Yamatomichi Blanket. The comfortable texture unique to 100% Merino wool makes it ideal for slightly chilly seasons.
Color:Friar Brown x Granite Green
production volume:15
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
Color:Charcoal Marl x Mustard
production volume:4
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
Color:Blue x Blue
production volume:8
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
Color:Navy x Charcoal Marl
production volume:5
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
Color:Gray Marl x Blue Gray
production volume:11
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
Color:Blue Gray x Friar Brown
production volume:12
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
Color:Granite Green x Charcoal Marl
production volume:4
Sales channels:
山と道 京都
Color:Charcoal Marl x Gray Marl
production volume:5
Sales channels:
山と道 京都
Color:Blue x Gray Marl
production volume: 8
Sales channels:
山と道 京都
Color:Navy x Friar Brown
production volume:15
Sales channels:
山と道 京都
Color:Gray Marl x Gray Marl
production volume:15
Sales channels:
山と道 京都
Color:Blue Gray x Mustard
production volume:3
Sales channels:
山と道 京都
Color:Granite Green x Gray Marl
production volume:15
Sales channels:
samplus(台湾)
Color:Charcoal Marl x Blue Gray
production volume:4
Sales channels:
samplus(台湾)
Color:Blue x Friar Brown
production volume:7
Sales channels:
samplus(台湾)
Color:Navy x Blue
production volume:7
Sales channels:
samplus(台湾)
Color:Mustard x Mustard
production volume:9
Sales channels:
samplus(台湾)
Color:Blue Gray x Navy
production volume:12
Sales channels:
samplus(台湾)
Merino Anarchy
These are upcycled Merino wool products, which were either damaged during production or damaged by insects when kept in storage at stores, that have been repaired by Yamatomichi staff using embroidery machines, piece by piece, in accordance with their own sensitivities. Because of this, the products vary in appearance, from those with many holes/embroidery to those with less holes/embroidery, as well as in size and color, but they have been reborn as products that allow the wearer to experience the warmth and fun of handwork. Only 45 pieces are available in total at Yamatomichi Zaimokuza and Yamatomichi Kyoto, so please visit us to see and feel these products for yourself.
production volume:46
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
2. Products made from unused fabrics
Products with small production runs, including unused special-order colored products
These six items are made from prototype fabrics that were regretfully not selected for mass production and leftover fabrics that could not be used up due to limited factory production capacity. The number of items produced may vary depending on color, but we believe that these items will provide special encounters that can only be achieved through limited production runs.
Taslan Coach Jacket
This is a coach jacket made from prototype sample taslan nylon fabrics that were not selected for mass production, as well as leftover taslan nylon fabrics used to make the 5-Pocket Shorts and 5-Pocket Pants.
Only a small amount of fabric is needed to make our popular 5-Pocket Shorts and 5-Pocket Pants, so we have rereleased a small quantity of each color variation of these coach jackets that were only sold once before this, as a project for using up leftover fabric.
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Amber
production volume:30
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
ONLINE SHOP
Color:Azurite
production volume:7
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Dark Olive
production volume:14
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Friar Brown
production volume:38
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
samplus
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Light Olive
production volume:47
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
samplus
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Purple Haze
production volume:27
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
samplus
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
※若干透ける
Color:White
production volume:30
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
samplus
ONLINE SHOP
UL All-weather Hoody
This is a hoody made using prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production in 2022-2023, and leftover fabrics that could not be used up for production due to limited factory production capacity. The number of pieces produced varies from 3 pieces to 192 pieces, depending on the color.
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Ebony
production volume:12
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
※若干透ける
Color:Lime Light
production volume:10
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
Color:Orange
production volume:3
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
Light 5-Pocket Pants (MEN)
A limited run product made using prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production in 2023. Only available on our online store.
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Dark Gray
production volume:16
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Light Gray
production volume:16
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Slate Blue
production volume:16
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Yamatomichi Blue
production volume:4
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Light 5-Pocket Pants (WOMEN)
A limited run product made using prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production in 2023. Only available on our online store.
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Dark Gray
production volume:10
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Light Gray
production volume:8
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Slate Blue
production volume:10
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Yamatomichi Blue
production volume:4
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Merino Cap
The Merino Cap, which has not been produced for many years, is back — made using leftover fabric from 2020. As both the amount of fabric and the production run are limited, these caps will only be sold on our online store and our directly-operated stores in conjunction with this project.
Stuff Pack XL
BLACK UHPE Fine Grid
We reused prototype test fabrics in the development of BLACK UHPE Fine Grid, a proprietary fabric newly adopted for the 2022 MINI and ONE models.
3. Products made from past fabrics and B rank fabrics
Special offer products made using past fabrics and B rank fabrics due to specification changes
These are special offer products made using fabrics left over from the production of products whose specifications have been changed, or prototype fabrics that have not been made into products due to concerns about color transfers and discoloration.
* Yamatomichi sells products that meet functionality requirements but are not of the same quality as official products, such as previous products and fabrics made before specification changes were introduced, as “C rank products”, and fabrics and products that partially meet functionality requirements and do not meet quality standards as “B rank products”.
Bamboo Shirt B
Made using fabrics with poor “color fastness”, a measure of color fading and color transfers, that were not selected for regular products, this item was produced as a special offer product with a 40% discount.
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Poor color fastness
Color:Apricot
production volume:50
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Poor color fastness
Color:Black
production volume:66
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Poor color fastness
Color:Cyan
production volume:13
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Poor color fastness
Color:Midnight Gray
production volume:58
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Rooibos Tea
production volume:36
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
100% Merino Light Sleeveless C (MEN)
This is a special offer product made in limited quantities using prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production in 2022 before specification changes.
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Orange
production volume:23
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Peacock Blue
production volume:23
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
ONLINE SHOP
100% Merino Light Sleeveless C (WOMEN)
This is a special offer product made in limited quantities using prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production in 2022 before specification changes.
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Orange
production volume:9
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Peacock Blue
production volume:12
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
ONLINE SHOP
100% Merino Light French Sleeve C
This is a special offer product made using leftover fabrics from 2019 before specification changes.
Color:Granite Green
production volume:19
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
Color:Mustard
production volume:21
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
DW 5-Pocket Pants C (MEN)
This is a re-released product made using prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production from 2021-2022, and leftover fabrics that could not be used up for production due to limited factory production capacity. Offered as a special offer product due to specification changes.
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Blue Gray
production volume:12
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Chestnut
production volume:12
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Olive Ash
production volume:10
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Orange
production volume:10
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
DW 5-Pocket Pants C (WOMEN)
This is a re-released product made using prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production from 2021-2022, and leftover fabrics that could not be used up for production due to limited factory production capacity. Offered as a special offer product due to specification changes.
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Blue Gray
production volume:6
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Chestnut
production volume:8
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Olive Ash
production volume:6
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Orange
production volume:6
Sales channels:
ONLINE SHOP
Light 5-Pocket Pants C (MEN)
This is a re-released product made using prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production from 2019-2022, and leftover fabrics that could not be used up for production due to limited factory production capacity. Offered as a special offer product due to specification changes.
Color:Coral
production volume:16
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Dull Blue
production volume:12
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Dull Gold
production volume:16
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
ONLINE SHOP
Color:Ocean Blue
production volume:4
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
Light 5-Pocket Pants C (WOMEN)
This is a re-released product made using prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production from 2019-2022, and leftover fabrics that could not be used up for production due to limited factory production capacity. Offered as a special offer product due to specification changes.
Color:Coral
production volume:8
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Dull Blue
production volume:8
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
ONLINE SHOP
Prototype fabrics that were not selected for mass production
Color:Dull Gold
production volume:8
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
ONLINE SHOP
Color:Ocean Blue
production volume:2
Sales channels:
山と道 材木座
山と道 京都
PLAYLIST
Here is a playlist of what our staff listen to in our stores and offices. The songs were selected by Ms. Kiyora Toyoshima, who also works as a model for Yamatomichi.
The theme of this month’s song selection is “ZERO WASTE YOUR SOUL”. Just like soul music, which has been covered over and over again and continues to evolve in every single era. We have chosen soulful and powerful songs that will rock your soul. Soul music gives us the feeling that even though their form may change ever so slightly, good things are passed down through the ages. We invite you to discover your favorite song from this playlist.
CREDIT
Editorial : Akira Natsume, Takurou Watanabe, Masaaki Mita, Tomohiro Kobayashi
Mail Magazine : Yukari Fujita
Photography : Masaaki Mita, Hikaru Otake, Chotaro Owan
Illustration:Koh Body
Produce : Kazuhiro Hasumi, Yuma Shimoyama
Art Direction : Yosuke Abe
Supervision : Akira Natsume