Quiet dignity, in harmony with everyday life

Clothes sometimes become the “armour” that stands for who we are.
In an era that keeps accelerating, we make decisions and choices every day, sometimes getting hurt along the way, and still we have to move forward.
As a manager, as a designer, and above all as a father raising a son with disabilities, I have stopped and hesitated many times before reaching this point in my life.

Samurai Mode Shirt II was created for the samurai of today.

Since the first Samurai Mode Shirt was released in 2018, we have made it more functional and more beautiful in response to feedback from many customers.

■ A silhouette as dignified as a sword
A sharply defined waistline, like the clean line formed when a kimono obi is fastened.
It is more than an aesthetic choice.
Even when your mind is in turmoil, putting this shirt on makes you stand taller.
The deep V collar changes the wearer’s expression, like a mirror held up to the spirit and the resolve inside.
The angle of the front ties and the position of the cords were prototyped over and over, in pursuit of a balance that holds its shape in motion, and does not pull too tight.

■ Comfort, and the environment
Because we want this shirt to be part of your everyday life, we paid particular attention to comfort.
The two cords that fasten at the waist let you adjust the fit finely, so it follows the body instead of constricting it.
Even worn for a long stretch it asks little of you, and that lightens more than your shoulders.
The cuffs are finished with natural shell buttons rather than plastic.
It is a small choice. But I believe the accumulation of such choices is what makes the world we pass on.

■ Your style, your own choice
Samurai Mode Shirt II comes in several variations.

KASANE 「重ね」
A layered collar. The combination of colours and cords at the neck is yours to decide — the same freedom you have when arranging the collar of a kimono.

Chill
The fabric has a relaxed, dry, linen-like feel and is easy to throw on even in the heat. For holidays, for travel, for wherever you take it.

YUZEN
A Kyoto yuzen artisan paints each dragon and each cherry blossom by hand using nuregaki-yuzen, applying colour to damp cloth to create soft gradations and natural bleeds. Clothing for someone who lives alongside art.

■ Clothes we still want to wear ten years from now
We do not release a large number of new products each season.
We work on a single design for years, improving it, before we finally release it.
That is because I feel close to people who choose clothes by what they believe rather than by what is current.
Samurai Mode Shirt II is genuinely a garment we made together: it grew out of what we learned from Shirt I, and out of your feedback.
Keeping clothes in use for longer can help support steadier work at the sewing factory and reduce unnecessary production.
We believe a cycle like that is possible in how clothing is made.

I hope that when you put this shirt on, you feel a little more dignified, and stand a little taller.
And if it reminds you of what you believe, that would give me the greatest pleasure.
I hope KUDEN’s clothing becomes part of your way of life. With my best wishes.

Designer
Tak