Kamikatsu Town
Kumi Sugiyama

They focused on the forests that cover about 90% of the town. The new specialty product "KINOF" born in Kamikatsu-cho is a so-called "products using thinned wood", but it has already been the focus of connoisseurs' attention because of its quality and ease of use that overturns its image.

Good things" are conveyed. Because they are conveyed, they will continue.

It's a simple and beautiful textured waffle fabric with a slight brownish color. It feels crispiness like a plant fiber yet gently touch feeling with unexpectedly soft and comfortable. As the name suggests, "KINOF (wooden cloth)" is a series of fabric that makes use of the fibers of the cedar trees produced in Kamikatsu.
“Wooden cloth” of various weaves such as plain weave, twill weave, and gauze have already been created, but among them, KINOF is currently developing products and focusing on towels and kitchen sponges made from this waffle fabric. "Raw silk" is spun by combining fibers extracted from wood with hemp. By twisting the fibers extracted from wood with the base paper of washi (Japanese paper) cut into small pieces, and weaving them with cotton, they have realized the texture of "picking the best of everything" that has both flexibility and quick-drying.. Furthermore, the concept of a new way to use thinned wood, whose utilization method has become a nationwide issue, has already been supported, and transactions with large retailers and select shops have already begun.
“The more you wash it, the softer and easier to use,” says Kumi Sugiyama. In a sense, she is the driving force behind KINOF. Kumi talked about the reason for the birth of the brand.
It was absolutely Kumi's intuition and sense that led an idea of "turning wood into cloth" into its current form. She said, "I don't want it to be buried as just a 'local souvenir'. Unless it becomes a brand that can be used as a gift, even valuable ideas will not last long," and she is particular about each process from the texture of the fabric, the logo design, to sewing.
The next goal of KINOF that had a smooth launch is to make more friends outside the region. They intend to collaborate with forest areas nationwide, rather than limiting this technology and brand to Kamikatsu.
"The first collaboration partner was decided in Neba Village, Nagano Prefecture. From now on, I think that KINOF should aim for the birth of KINOF in various areas and the expansion of the possibilities of wood utilization.”

Interviewed in October, 2021
Writer : Mikiko Tamaki / Photographer : Hiroyuki Tamura