Otsuka Gofukuten

Evolution of traditional KIMONO store in Kyoto.

This store is located at the feet of Yasaka Shrine (八坂神社, Yasaka-jinja), once called Gion Shrine which is a Shinto shrine in the Gion District of Kyoto, Japan.

This building was constructed 70 years ago, and has been a Tofu (Japanese bean curd) store in the past.
Gofuku (another world: Kimono) is a traditional cloth which has varying price, range, qualities, which can sometimes confuse the customer. Even Japanese people would wear Kimonos in everyday life in bygone eras, nowadays we only wear for special occasions, as it has a recent reputation as a garment reserved for high society to wear to special, formal events.

The store purpose is to re-introduce Kimono culture. It has a clear 3-step price system to allow new customers to choose the suitable product, and to compare to other pre-existing traditional kimono stores. On the second floor, it opens up as a gallery space with kimono related modern art and a design works exhibition.The main design concept uses aspects from the past and introduces new hand craft towards a new design for the future.

The Interior design consists of 3 types of showcases according to the price range, frame and type of composite of Kimono. The other kimono products are displayed on original designed shelves with knotted feet. The design method explores diachronic aspects such as materials, stories location, architecture and function to translate and add value through design approach.The white tiles are from original Tofu store. The walls in all directions are covered by white tiles Yusuke has curved to add new textures, which give the appearance of new surfaces from the layered inside material. This process makes the accurate grid become more characteristic and organic like a hand drawing.The coloured stones are incorporated under the floor, and original old fashion glasses are fixed into the windows to demonstrate the history of the building.

All the aspects have a story and contribute to the overall store details. They take on a new life, having been a relic of the past – mirroring the theme of this new approach to Kimono design and wear.