Eikei University of Hiroshima (EUH) holds “Evening Lounge” as part of its support for students’ competency and career development. We were honored to have Mr. ISHII.
| Date & Time | Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, 5:10p.m. – 6:50p.m. |
| Participation | EUH students, faculty, staff, and visitors from outside the university |
| Title of Lecture | “Design of JOBUTSU” |
| Speaker | Representative of Shitateya to Shokunin Co., Ltd. Mr. ISHII Takayuki |
We were honored to welcome Mr. ISHII, Representative of Shitateya to Shokunin Co., Ltd. for a special lecture themed “Design of JOBUTSU.”
Mr. ISHII earned his master’s degree from Central St Martins in the UK, where he focused on the intersection of narrative approach in design fields. After relocating to Nagahama City in Shiga Prefecture, he has contributed to design projects across Japan. Today, as the Representative of Shitateya to Shokunin Co., Ltd., he works alongside traditional artisans to revive the memories and emotions embedded in kimono through a unique brand called SHANARI SHIRTS — a project that breathes new life into forgotten garments by transforming them into contemporary fashion.
During the lecture, Mr. ISHII shared insights into the sustainable nature of kimono culture, which historically operated within a circular system. He introduced the SHANARI SHIRTS initiative, where unused kimono are reborn as shirts through a collaborative process that creates new employment opportunities in local communities.
These once-silent kimono are given new life by the hands of skilled artisans, and as shirts, they travel across oceans to connect with people around the world. This beautiful cycle goes beyond upcycling — it embodies the power of design to preserve culture and generate social value.
After the lecture, a roundtable discussion was held, and Mr. ISHII kindly stayed until the end to join the conversation. The dialogue with participants remained warm and engaging throughout, making it a valuable opportunity for meaningful exchange.
The lecture resonated deeply with many students, inspiring them to reflect on their own paths.
“Seeing how stories embedded in objects can change form and be passed on warmed my heart. It made me want to explore ways to connect things myself.” “The idea of something becoming useful to someone else in a new form beautifully aligns with the concept of repose. It felt deeply meaningful — I’d love to wear one of those shirts!”
We sincerely thank Mr. ISHII for his inspiring and thought-provoking lecture.
