A truly rich and happy life is not merely achieved by how many things we own in our life.

What really makes our life rich and happy?
Is it how many things we possess? ? We don’t think so

Cherishing every moment in our life with consciousness.
Taking good care of the items we use every day with love.
Being sensitive to feeling the subtle seasonal changes day to day.
This is what we believe makes our life “rich and happy.”

Just one little daily article can reflect the season’s beauty and warm our heart.
What makes our life truly rich and happy are these small, yet sophisticated and heartwarming daily articles made by someone’s hands.

For an enriching daily lifestyle.
BAN INOUE cherishes the aesthetics and sensitivity of Japan.

Our philosophy

It might not be known widely, however much of what we call “traditional Japanese culture,” for example, ikebana flower arrangement, chanoyu tea ceremony, suibokuga ink painting, and more, was born during the Muromachi period (14th-16th century). Not only the fine arts but also architectural forms (such as tatami straw mats, layout of Japanese rooms and gardens) and culinary culture (soy sauce, natto fermented beans, tofu, etc.) were all born during this period of time.
Two quintessential concepts were born from such a rich cultural soil in the following Azuchi Momoyama period (1573-1603): “Hana” and “Wabi.”
Hana is elegant gorgeousness with dynamic dignity.
Wabi is austere simplicity and harmony with nature.
Sensitive Japanese aesthetics is complete when both Hana and Wabi coexist ? This is the essence Japanese people have respected and cherished for generations. No matter how much transition the country has experienced in its long history, this aesthetic will be inherited eternally in its people’s spirit and tradition.
Our creations are born inspired by the beautiful Hana and Wabi spirit from the Azuchi Momoyama period.
We believe that items we use in daily life must harmonize nicely with the modern lifestyle and look beautiful together while retaining the traditional beauty and spirit of Japan.
To bring this everlasting spirit of Japan into the modern life style and succeed it to the future ? this is BAN INOUE’s mission and vision for the future.

Our Color Concept

BAN INOUE’s color concept is born from the essence of Japan. Colors follow the elegance of beautifully layered kimono collars (traditional Japanese dress) and their names derive from the vibrant seasonal beauty of Japan. Our items present “colorfulness” into your daily life.

Our Products

Our philosophy for producing items

BAN INOUE produces items with respect and aesthetics.
Elements from other countries are subtly integrated by the skilled and careful hands of Japanese craftspeople to form one item that will evoke deep affection in the users’ heart.

Hospitality & Elegance

Asa ? Ramie & Linen ?

Linen’s history in Japan dates back to ancient times. In the Shoso-in Imperial Repository of Nara, which preserves a number of valuable art crafts and cultural articles from the 8th century, some cloth items made of linen are preserved. This provides evidence that linen was already an essential material for people in those days. BAN INOUE uses two types of linen fabrics: choma (ramie) and ama (linen).
Items made with ramie (choma) are produced by the traditional techniques of spinning yarns (teumi) or weaving (teori) by hand with thorough care. Only extremely careful hand-weaving can achieve a brilliant finish without losing the yarns’ natural features.
Linen (ama) items are produced with spun yarns. This type of item, with its pleasantly cooling property, is very easy to wear and care for in daily life.
One of the representative characteristics of linen items is that their uneven surfaces emanate beautiful depth and shading effects.

Hand-woven linen bag using linen yarn dyed with indigo. The tasteful texture of hand-weaving and the deep color of indigo match perfectly.

Comfort and Daily Life

Mosquito Net

In olden days, Nara was Japan’s largest mosquito net production area. Traditional mosquito net production techniques have been adjusted for making modern daily clothing. What BAN INOUE wishes to suggest with our clothing items is; easy to wear, comfortable on the skin, and easy to wash at home. The longer you wear, the softer and more comfortable the item becomes.
Colorful daily clothing will adorn your life.
Very airy yet never allows mosquitos to bite you ? this is the technique adapted from mosquito netting.
In those days, people in Japan knew how to sleep comfortably during the hot and humid summer time by using a mosquito net. Stay comfortable and enjoy our clothing items for everyday life that were born from the wisdom of Japan.