【 凛rin life 】 Vol.015

In this mail magazine, 【KUDEN by TAKAHIRO SATO】 will send you topics such as Japanese culture including kimono, fashion, lifestyle, and behind-the-scenes stories of creators every Friday, written by fashion designer Takahiro Sato.I became a fashion designer at the age of 43 to create a place to work with my son who has a disability, and I am challenging myself as a creator and manager to go overseas. I will share with you my personal viewpoints and perspectives that I cannot easily share on my website.

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┃K┃U┃D┃E┃N┃【 凛rin life 】
Vol.015
/ Issued 5th May, 2023 /

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■Index
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… 1. Catch up
… 2. News
… 3. Original serialization for KUDEN Charity , Novel “KUDEN Samurai Sword Jam”　
Ep.04 Samurai-Dan 03
… 4. The World of Bunraku Ningyo Joruri - a Traditional Japanese Performing Art - 04
… 5. Q&A
… 6. Media & Serials and introduction of mail magazine serial-contents
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■ 1. Catch up

Hello everyone. I am Takahiro Sato, a.k.a. Tak, the designer.

The crowdfunding project for the Kimono gowns, whose theme is "back to the roots" in terms of both clothing and branding, has ended successfully.
We would like to thank everyone who liked the design of the gowns and shared KUDEN's goal of employing people with disabilities in the future.
My heart was touched when I read everyone's comments. When I talk with my friends from overseas, I often think that the world is in a period of great change. I hope that my son and children like him in the next generation will be able to enjoy the joy of working and buying the things they want (called "kinrou" in Japanese).

Well, Japan is now on a long vacation called Golden Week.
As for me, my son, who has a disability, doesn't like crowds (he wears ear muffs because he doesn't like noise), so I've been spending time at home instead of going out much.
I try to enjoy my time at home by cleaning and focusing on my creative work, which I usually don't have time to sit down and work on. （I am learning Abelton Live, a music production software, from beginning, to add original music to KUDEN's music videos.)
Today, as I write, is May 5. In Japan, it is Children's Day. It was originally called "Tango-no-Sekku," a day of celebration to pray for the healthy growth and happiness of boys. It was a day of celebration to pray for the healthy growth and happiness of boys.
Since the promulgation of the Holidays Law in 1948, May 5 was designated as a holiday to "respect children's character, promote their happiness, and give thanks to their mothers", Tango-no Sekku Day has also become Children's Day. (The major difference between Children's Day and Tango no Sekku is that Children's Day is a national holiday, while Tango no Sekku refers to a traditional event from long ago.)

Kabuto (samurai helmets) are decorated and carp-shaped streamers called "Koinobori" are displayed. It is also customary to eat chimaki (rice cake wrapped in oak leaves) and kashiwa-mochi (rice cake with sweet bean paste wrapped in oak leaves). I am going to eat Kashiwa Mochi at home today.

　This week, we held meetings with several sewing factories to see if they would be interested in sewing Kimono gowns. The fashion industry has been placing a heavy burden on sewing factories to make a profit, and wages have not been rising, so sewing factories cannot offer attractive conditions to young people.
Many factories are closing down due to the aging population and the Corona disaster, and it has become difficult for any brand to find a sewing factory in Japan. We will continue to work together with those factories that are willing to accept KUDEN's challenge to produce Kimono gowns for everyone.

Oh, we may take orders for kimono gowns on our website for a limited period of about a week. This is because there is a little time before we can start to put in materials such as fabrics and the sewing factory can start sewing. Also, we are preparing different colors and fabrics for the beginning of fall, so we may be able to offer new colors and fabrics for kimono gowns in June.

While looking at and touching the fabrics, I am planning the next concept.

Thank you so much for reading.
See you in next issue.


Tak

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■ 2. News

★from「KUDEN by TAKAHIRO SATO」★

#Clothes for people who love kimonos #Japanese Modestyle

KUDEN by TAKAHIRO SATO is a brand created to get people interested in traditional kimono with a modern kimono style that does not need special dressmaking.

●Ships immediately! First 5% off INSTOCK!


Review Promotion Starts!
We are pleased to offer a 5% off coupon that can be used by those who promise to write a review before purchasing a product.

The items are INSTOCK items.
INSTOCK items are items that are in stock and ready to ship in 3 business days. Normally, the products are sold at a fixed price, but as a reward for writing a review, we are offering a limited time discount coupon to help you save money and wear KUDEN clothes as soon as possible.

Using the coupon is easy.
Just take note of the coupon code on the special page below and purchase the INSTOCK product of your choice. Enter the coupon code at the time of purchase and the 5% discount will be applied.
By using this coupon code, you agree to the review campaign and promise to submit a review of the product via the review submission email sent by KUDEN after you receive the product.

We look forward to your wonderful reviews.

●Special Page
https://ku-den.jp/ja/blogs/store-event/review-promotion

Deadline is May 7！
MAX 12%OFF！
【1Piece looking like a Kimono: Samurai mode Kimono Gown Release Anniversary
Samurai Mode Jacket -Eco- Pre tailor-made event】

To celebrate the release of Samurai Mode Kimono Gown, which symbolizes KUDEN by TAKAHIRO SATO's back to roots, we hold an order event with up to 12% off.

Through the crowdfunding campaign for Kimono Gown, we wanted to let many people know about KUDEN by TAKAHIRO SATO and decided to hold an order event for the Samurai Mode Jacket, the flagship of KUDEN.
Usually, 5% off is offered at the order event due to the rising cost of raw materials, but we are offering a special price to commemorate the release of this item.
The items are 10% off the Samurai Mode Jacket -Eco- in Black x Black, 12% off the custom model with Black outer fabric and your choice of lining color, and 12% off the Samurai Mode Jacket -Eco- in Black x Black.

My design preference, the Samurai Mode Jacket -Eco- custom model is filled with the aesthetics of invisible fashion and glimpses of fashion.
The lining is available in your choice of three colors: Bordeaux, Blue Green, Pink
If you are interested in the colors of the custom model, we have made a video for crowdfunding, so please check it out as well.

【Video】Introduction of Jacket Custom model - Eco -
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/663782/activities/468524#main

If you have been wondering about this, please don't miss this opportunity as we will be back to 5% off for the next ordering event.

The deadline is May 7.

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■ 3. Original serialization for KUDEN Charity , Novel “KUDEN Samurai Sword Jam”

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Make the world just a little bit better by wearing your favorite "cool & kawaii" clothes!

KUDEN, a fashion brand founded by a father with a mentally handicapped and autistic son, and Japan's leading animators, manga artists, and illustrators collaborated for a charity project.

This novel is based on a charity that was started in 2021-2022 to create jobs at welfare centers for the handicapped and sewing factories with the help of animation and manga.Animation Director Mr. Ryosuke Takahashi famous for Blue Comet SPT Layzner(Armored Trooper Votoms, Fang of the Sun Dougram) , Character Designer & Animator Mr. Moriyasu Taniguchi (Armored Trooper Votoms , Captain Tsubasa, Samurai Champloo ), a combination of the TV animation "Blue Comet SPT Layzner" (We also received supportive comments from mechanical designer Mr.Kunio Okawara), voice actors Mr.Kazuhiko Inoue (Kakashi from Naruto, Nyanko sensei from Natsume's Book of Friends ), Rune Sasaki (Alfine from Crusher Joe , Vanessa Layard from Macross), and other splendid animators, manga artists, and illustrator teachers who have drawn characters in KUDEN clothing. Their character designs are printed on KUDEN's clothes and bags. (Currently being re-prepared for permanent installation)

Its characters and worldview have been adapted into a novel by Takahiro Sato of KUDEN and serialized in Hobby Japan's Novel Up+! ( English version is publishedon Wattpad)The story is about a father who is the last sword smith struggling for his disabled son.
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Novel 「KUDEN 口伝 -Samurai Sword Jam-」

Ep.04 "Samurai-Dan" 03

“One more thing. It was discovered that a steel katana was stolen from the institute, mixed in with the space elevator attack. It is possible that these two incidents are related.”

Harada continues, then looks at Lee, who strokes his stubble.

Tall Lee gets up from his seat and walks over to the screen as he speaks.

”I'm Lee Matsubara, leader of the fourth squad, the investigation team. Let me summarize the current situation once again. There are currently three important incidents that the Samurai-Dan is focusing on. ‘The terrorist attack on the space elevator and the disappearance of two researchers.’ ‘The case of the stolen steel katana, which is a nationally-secret item.’ ’The case of the serial murders targeting Samurai-Dan members in Sakura District.’ As for the space elevator terrorist attacks, since national security issues with other countries and space are involved, the Defense Force and the Samurai-Dan will formally set up a "Special Joint Task Force.” From the Samurai-Dan, the investigation team, the fourth squad, and the tenth squad which is in charge of security, will be the main members of the Special Joint Task Force to investigate the case. The case of the stolen steel katana is a top-secret matter for the country, or rather, for Venus. We cannot allow other countries to know that our katana has been stolen. Therefore, the representative Kusunoki has ordered us to form a special unit of only Samurai-Dan to investigate and recover the stolen swords in the strictest confidence. Harada has discovered that a series of murders targeting members of the Samurai-Dan in the Sakura District are similar to those of the current terrorist attacks, and has included the possibility of a connection between the two. I would like each of you to read carefully the documents on the device in your hand. I have also sent you the roles and assignments of each squad, so please follow the orders of your leader and others and promptly prepare for the investigation. Please keep me updated on the progress of the investigation and the convening of task force meetings through the devices. If you have any questions, please contact Asami Sato, deputy leader of the fourth squad.”

A woman with glasses comes running up to Lee, operating a device.

“I'm Asami, deputy leader of the fourth squad. As usual, I am gathering all the information on the portal site of the device dedicated to the Samurai-Dan. The assignment and resignation orders have already been issued, and I ask that each leader and captain of the district immediately communicate this information to all the members of yours. In addition, since this case contains many top-secret Bell Country matters, information will be restricted. The information that can be viewed is limited according to the importance of the case and by rank. The leaders and deputy leaders attending this meeting, as well as the group captains of each district within each squad, are authorized to view all information, so please be careful in handling the information.”

After she finishes saying this quickly, she fixes the gap in her glasses and then looks at the leader of the seventh squad, Sanjuro Tani.

“Since there are some newcomers who have not been in the Samurai-Dan for a short time or who have just been promoted, the leader of the seventh squad in charge of Armament Research and Development team, Mr. Sanjuro Tani, will explain about steel katana to you.”


Ep.04 "Samurai-Dan" 03
Fin.


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■ 4. What is traditional Japanese culture?｜Performing arts, crafts, events, food, clothing, and housing
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During the Edo period (1603-1868), many artisans, including woodworkers, moved to Nikko when the Nikko Toshogu Shrine was being built.I was born in such a place, and in my childhood, I had a lot of contact with various artisans. There was a skilled knife smith who lived in the neighborhood where I was born and raised, and he took care of me from a young age and taught me how to forge knives.This experience is the starting point of inspiration for my designs, as I love to make things.Japanese traditional culture. I will introduce the arts, crafts, events, clothing, food, and shelter from a designer's point of view
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【The World of Ningyo Joruri Bunraku - a Traditional Japanese Performing Art -】Part04

Ningyo Joruri Bunraku.Ningyo joruri (puppet theater) was created by combining joruri, the art of storytelling in which stories are told and listened to with instruments such as the shamisen and biwa, with the art of puppet performance.

※Ningyo joruri was born from the joruri, a form of oral literature, music, or performing arts that originated in medieval Japan.
※Joruri is a type of music for the theater in which the shamisen is used as an accompaniment and the tayu recites lyrics.

There are three roles that make up Ningyo Joruri Bunraku puppet theater. They are called “Sangyo". "Sangyo" is a trinity of comprehensive entertainment consisting of the tayu, shamisen player, and puppeteer.

Mr. Sakiju Toyotake, KUDEN's Global Ambassador, is the "Tayu" in the above. We will be introducing her in a three-part series, including a video interview on why he became a tayu.

This is second issue.Check the website.

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■ 5．Q&A

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▽Open to questions for KUDEN and designer Tak▼
We welcome your comments, requests, and questions for KUDEN by TAKAHIRO SATO and designer Takahiro Sato.
We will answer your questions in our weekly mail magazine.We look forward to hearing from you.

Please mention “mail magazine Q&A Section” before sending your question.
https://ku-den.jp/ja/pages/contact

※Please note in advance that not all questions can necessarily be answered.
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Due to the author's busy schedule, Q&A will not be available this week. We will start answering your questions in the next week.


【Ask a question to us】
Please mention “mail magazine Q&A Section” before sending your question.
From here>>

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■ 6．Media & Serials and introduction of mail magazine serial-contents

ｰｰ【Media】ｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰ

Up-and-coming Fashion Magazine
・AVESSA MAGAZINE
https://www.avessa.com/on-virtues-and-vices/

SF adventure
Novel「 KUDEN Samurai Sword Jam」
・Japanese
Powered by Hobby Japan　
“Novelup plus”　
Free reading
https://novelup.plus/feature/kuden/

・English
"Wattpad"　
Free reading
https://www.wattpad.com/story/307475614-kuden-%E5%8F%A3%E4%BC%9D-samurai-sword-jam

ｰｰ【Introduction of mail magazine contents】ｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰｰ
The following is a list of contents that are being serialized in the Rinlife mail magazine. The contents will be posted weekly on an irregular basis. Subscribers to the mail magazine can read archived articles on the website.

●What is traditional Japanese culture?｜Performing arts, crafts, events, food, clothing, and housing
During the Edo period (1603-1868), many artisans, including woodworkers, moved to Nikko when the Nikko Toshogu Shrine was being built.I was born in such a place, and in my childhood, I had a lot of contact with various artisans. There was a skilled knife smith who lived in the neighborhood where I was born and raised, and he took care of me from a young age and taught me how to forge knives.This experience is the starting point of inspiration for my designs, as I love to make things.Japanese traditional culture. I will introduce the arts, crafts, events, clothing, food, and shelter from a designer's point of view.

●KUDEN clothes care point by staff Sena　
Sena, a KUDEN staff member, also handles PR, translation, and voice acting. But within the company, he is known as the ironing master. Sena has always loved ironing and does it before each KUDEN photo shoot, and since KUDEN's clothes have gimmicks and designs not found in other brands, ironing requires a certain knack. This is a care corner by Sena, who receives tips and advice from sewing artisans and concierges.

→"Can wash the Samurai Mode Series at home or not? List" Latest article in Vol.003

●KUDEN History「Live like traveling」
After falling into bankruptcy, falling ill, being separated from my son, and hitting rock bottom, I decided that I create a place where I could work with my disabled son in the future. I decided to start KUDEN with this goal in mind. Through encounters with various people, KUDEN has come to be what it is today. People who want to become fashion designers. People who are interested in how to start a new business in this era, people who like KUDEN's clothes and want to know more about KUDEN. For those who want to get hints for overcoming hardships and adversities, and for those who love children with disabilities, we will weave a memoir of KUDEN's history from its origins to the present.
→KUDEN History「Live like traveling」Part 03　“Stay in the Philippines: Fatherhood and Management Side”（Latest article in Vol.006）


○Archive from here
https://ku-den.jp/ja/blogs/mail-magazine-rin-life

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・Edited/Published by：KUDEN by TAKAHIRO SATO（Gerbera Design Inc.）

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All copyrights to the contents of "KUDEN凛rinlife" belong to the editor/publisher.Please refrain from reprinting, forwarding, or re-editing most or all of the contents of this e-mail magazine without permission.Quotations on personal blogs and social networking services for non-commercial purposes are acceptable as long as the source is clearly stated.© 2023 KUDEN by TAKAHIRO SATO /Gerbera Design Inc,

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┃K┃U┃D┃E┃N┃【 凛rin life 】
Vol.015
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/ Issued 5th May, 2023 /