Kyoto Textile Meets MERI: The Yatsuhashi Design Loved for 10 Years
At MERI, we introduce a new collection once a year. While some designs remain in our lineup for a few years, we generally refresh our collection every two to three years.
But there is one design that has continued to capture the hearts of our customers for much longer.
Its name is Yatsuhashi.
Featuring fabric from Aogoromo, a textile brand based in Kyoto, Japan, this handmade Japanese zori slipper design was first introduced about 10 years ago.
Although it was discontinued for a time, its popularity led us to bring it back. We have continued making it ever since.
Today, Yatsuhashi is the longest-running design in MERI's history.
Aogoromo: A Textile Brand from Kyoto
Aogoromo (青衣) is a textile brand based in Kyoto, Japan.
Inspired by Japanese culture and everyday life, Aogoromo creates modern, charming textiles with a warmth and simplicity that sometimes reminds us of Scandinavian design.
Their collections feature many uniquely Japanese motifs, including Kujo green onions, candy apples, and sparklers.
Even the names of their patterns are delightful.
Rather than simply reproducing traditional Japanese imagery, Aogoromo reinterprets familiar motifs through bold colors and playful shapes, creating designs that fit beautifully into modern life.
The brand also produces a wide variety of products using its original textiles.
Personally, I always look forward to discovering their newest patterns.
Aogoromo Official Online Store
Yatsuhashi: A Fabric I Immediately Wanted to Use for MERI
Among Aogoromo's many beautiful textiles, one design immediately caught my attention: Yatsuhashi.
Yatsuhashi is one of Kyoto's most famous traditional Japanese sweets, or wagashi.
Aogoromo's Yatsuhashi textile is inspired by nama-yatsuhashi, a soft Kyoto confection made with delicate sheets of dough wrapped around sweet red bean paste.
Although the design is inspired by a traditional Kyoto sweet, its playful shapes almost resemble a modern geometric pattern.
The moment I saw this fabric, I knew I wanted to use it for the straps of our MERI zori slippers.
The straps, known in Japanese as hanao, are an important part of the overall appearance of traditional Japanese footwear.
Because the straps cover only a small area, the colors and patterns of the fabric can make a surprisingly strong impression.
Aogoromo's Yatsuhashi textile was a perfect match.
Tenassen: A Traditional Japanese Textile Printing Technique
Aogoromo's textiles are printed using a traditional Japanese technique called tenassen (手捺染), or hand screen printing.
In this process, dyes are mixed with a special paste and applied to fabric through printing screens.
By carefully applying different colors, the technique creates vibrant patterns with the warmth and character of handcrafted textiles.
MERI is also made by hand, with skilled artisans carefully weaving each pair of Japanese fabric zori slippers.
Textiles created in Kyoto.
Handwoven zori slippers made in Tokyo.
By bringing these two different forms of Japanese craftsmanship together, our Yatsuhashi design was born.
You can also see the traditional textile printing process in action on Instagram.
Watch the textile printing process on Instagram
From the first application of color to the finished textile, these photos show how Aogoromo's beautiful patterns gradually come to life through the traditional tenassen printing process.
Discontinued, Revived, and Loved for 10 Years
We first introduced the Yatsuhashi design about 10 years ago.
Although we eventually stopped producing it, the design remained popular with our customers, and we decided to bring it back.
Since then, it has continued to be part of our collection.
Fashion trends come and go, and new patterns appear every season. Yet even after 10 years, Yatsuhashi still feels fresh.
I believe this is one of the special qualities of Aogoromo's textiles.
The design feels distinctly Japanese without looking overly traditional.
It is playful and charming, yet also refined.
Perhaps this wonderful balance is what has made Yatsuhashi such a long-lasting favorite.
Yatsuhashi Featured in a Tokyo Metro Commercial
There is another special memory connected to our Yatsuhashi MERI.
Japanese actress Satomi Ishihara once wore this design in a Tokyo Metro television commercial.
It was a wonderful moment for us to see a product we had been making for years introduced to such a wide audience.
Looking back at the history of MERI, Yatsuhashi is undoubtedly one of our most memorable designs.
Kyoto Design Meets Tokyo Craftsmanship
A textile inspired by a traditional Kyoto sweet.
Fabric created by Aogoromo and used for the straps of MERI zori slippers, each pair carefully handwoven by artisans in Tokyo.
Yatsuhashi brings together two different traditions of Japanese craftsmanship.
Even after 10 years, it remains one of the most important designs in our collection.
We hope to continue creating MERI slippers that celebrate Japanese culture while fitting naturally into modern everyday life.
You can find our Yatsuhashi MERI at our flagship store in Ryogoku, Tokyo, or through our official online store.
We hope you'll discover your favorite pair.
