Founded in 1887, Mitsuboshi Keito is a long-established textile manufacturer headquartered in Bishu, one of the world’s three major woolen textile production areas. In 2015, they were chosen for the “Made in Japan” project launched by Ermenegildo Zegna, and their fabrics have been used by luxury brands around the world, as well as the LVMH Group.

Bishu is an area blessed with abundant nature in the Kiso River basin. The soft waters of the Kiso River are perfect for bringing out the fine texture of wool, and the woolen textile industry has flourished here since the olden days. A distinctive feature of this area is that highly specialized companies work together in each step of the manufacturing process, from the basic yarn to the final textiles . At present, the Bishu region produces approximately 70 percent of all woolen textiles in Japan.

Mitsuboshi Keito has been focusing on producing high-quality fabrics for men’s suits. The fabrics are densely woven using yarn spun from carefully selected raw materials to achieve an exquisite texture. Their technical capability to express dozens of delicate nuances of color, even in black alone, combined with their planning ability and manufacturing system, allow them to quickly respond to the requests of a variety of brands, making them a highly-acclaimed and regarded company by luxury brands around the world. Mitsuboshi Keito also focuses on sustainability, to which they have developed an initiative that breathes new life into the products collected and recycled from general consumers to reproduce new woolen products under their “ReBirth WOOL” brand. On top of this, they have also launched their own brand, “MITSUBOSHI1887” to communicate the value of Japanese craftsmanship as they continue to evolve by fusing traditional techniques with the latest technologies.

In addition, they have held the “Hitsuji (‘sheep’) Summit Bishu, ” an industrial tourism event aimed at turning Bishu’s traditional woolen textile industry into a sustainable one, since 2021. Mitsuboshi Keito is also committed to working with local communities to revitalize the industry as well as the economy of the local area, such as holding factory tours and workshops, providing opportunities for users and manufacturers to interact with each other. In this video, CJ producers Ms. Oya Koc and Ms. Laetitia Da Costa experience the charm of Mitsuboshi Keito that has garnered global attention.

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