By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
Traditional Japanese tools for daily life meet modern, stylish fashion as they arrive in Taiwan to engage in cultural exchange. Aimed at Taiwanese people who love a “quality lifestyle,” Sumida Ward in Tokyo held the “Sumida Fashion Business Meeting” on Monday, October 2, at the Songshan Cultural and Creative Park Taiwan Design Center, showcasing the appeal of products made and sold in the district. The event, first launched last year to great acclaim, has broken from its usual format of being open only to professional buyers this year — the general public can also attend free of charge during specific hours (from 3 PM that day), and displayed products are available for purchase on-site. For those interested in “Made in Japan” or “traditional Japanese everyday items,” visitors have the opportunity to speak directly with artisans and can purchase their favorite items at special show-only discounted prices.
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ORANGE TOKYO LTD. exhibiting in Taiwan (Photo / Sumida Fashion Taiwan Business Meeting)
Sumida Ward is located in Tokyo Metropolis, Japan. While many Taiwanese may be familiar with the district’s iconic “TOKYO SKYTREE,” the area has actually long been known as the “Town of Makers” since the Edo period, thanks to the numerous small and medium-sized factories that produced daily-life tools and goods. In recent years, the district has been building on its centuries-old traditional techniques while incorporating innovative design elements to create more modern, user-friendly, and approachable products.
From “Town of Makers” to “Sumida Fashion”: Centuries-old craftsmanship makes a stylish comeback
The history of Sumida as the “Town of Makers” dates back to Japan’s Edo period (starting in 1600), when artisans and merchants settled alongside samurai and began producing and selling various household goods. Thanks to its strategic location and skilled craftsmanship, Sumida became a pioneer in modern industries such as leather, matches, and textiles starting in the Meiji era.
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Hirono Glass (Hirota Garasu) exhibiting in Taiwan (Photo / Sumida Fashion Taiwan Business Meeting)
The post-war period of rapid economic growth further bolstered Sumida’s production of high-quality refined daily goods and components. By 1970, the number of factories in the district peaked at 9,703. However, as global manufacturing shifted elsewhere, factories in Sumida gradually declined. But in recent years, with the opening of the “TOKYO SKYTREE” and renewed global attention on the excellence of “Made in Japan,” more people are discovering Sumida’s deep-rooted strength in manufacturing daily goods and components. The area is now attracting buyers and tourists from around the world who come in search of high-quality products.
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8 certified businesses from Sumida Ward take the stage Buyers and consumers experience the charm of craftsmanship firsthand
This business matchmaking event features eight companies and their products certified under “Sumida Fashion,” including Hirota Glass, Tōya, Ninomiya Gorō Shoten, FOOTMARK, Ishii Seiko, Yamada Glass Processing, ORANGE TOKYO LTD. (all merchandise), and Yuzu Co., Ltd. (food and beverage). These exhibitors authentically showcase traditional Japanese daily-use crafts with a 400-year heritage from Sumida Ward, aiming to win the favor of Taiwanese distributors with the superior quality of “Made in Japan.” By engaging in face-to-face dialogue with potential buyers, they hope to create new opportunities for collaboration.
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Ninomiya Gorō Shoten (left) and Tōya (right) exhibiting in Taiwan. (Photo / Sumida Fashion Taiwan Business Matching Event)
To allow more people in Taiwan to understand the charm of “Sumida Fashion” through hands-on interaction with actual products, the event will be open to the general public during certain time slots (3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the day). Those interested in learning more about “Sumida Fashion” or “Made in Japan” should not miss this chance to engage directly with artisans and purchase favorite items at special show-only discounted prices.
【Info】
Sumida Fashion Business Matching & Exchange Event
Time: October 2, 2017 (Monday)
15:00–17:00 Marketplace (Open to general consumers)
Venue: Not Just Library, 1st Floor, Taiwan Design Center
(No. 133, Guangfu S. Rd., Xinyi District, Taipei City, Songshan Cultural and Creative Park)