Nice to meet you. My name is Toshie Imabayashi.
This time, we are pleased to introduce Ms. Hashimoto, who creates the beautiful wrapping cloths used to carefully and respectfully package each TENPYODO item.
Ms. Hashimoto and I were colleagues at the same company before I got married—joined in the same year, and dear friends as well. It’s been about five years now since she began creating the wrapping cloths for us. Why did I ask her to take on this role? Because she has an incredible story behind her—one that still amazes me to this day!
To begin with, she is incredibly skilled with her hands. Back when we worked together, she made everything by hand out of kindness—from document folders and filing shelves to even the curtain in the restroom. She always put the company and our shared work environment first, often setting aside her own tasks to create a space where everyone could work more efficiently. The quality of her creations was truly remarkable.
What truly convinced me of Ms. Hashimoto’s remarkable talent was this unforgettable episode: When she was preparing for her wedding, she wasn’t satisfied with any ready-made dress—so she decided to make her own. After work each day, she stayed up night after night, studying sewing techniques from books and teaching herself through trial and error. And incredibly, she succeeded in creating a one-of-a-kind wedding gown, entirely handmade. I could hardly believe she actually finished it. Needless to say, she didn’t attend fashion school—she majored in economics.
Thanks to her remarkable talent and sincere character, I asked—perhaps a bit selfishly—if she would be willing to handcraft each wrapping cloth for TENPYODO. Despite her busy schedule with other work, she kindly agreed, saying, “If it’s for TENPYODO.” Ever since, she has continued to create not only the cloths used to wrap our items, but also exquisitely crafted pieces such as lids for mizusashi and kettles, and fabric cases for storing tea scoops—each one made with precision and care, reflecting her extraordinary skill.
She occasionally comes to help out during our exhibitions at the gallery, so if you happen to visit during one, I hope you’ll take a moment to meet her as well. Thank you for reading this humble note to the end. It would mean a lot to me if her sincere and warm-hearted nature has come through.
“The Wind of Tenpyō” is a column written with heartfelt gratitude to all those who have been part of Tenpyodō’s journey. Each encounter, each memory—gently accompanied by a quiet breeze.