Nishijin Textile

About Nishijin Kyoto Woven Silk

What is “Nishijin woven silk”?

Fine silk made in Kyoto, Japan, home to many aspects of traditional Japanese culture. The history of Nishijin’s textile and dyeing techniques date all the way back to the Heian Period, which is 1200 years ago. The silk has received many accolades and has been designated a traditional craftworks by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry Designated traditional craft goods.

FORTUNA Tokyo designer Akiko Koba

Detailed designs, high quality silk

At Kyoto’s Nishijin, where the high-end silks are produced, they weave their original weft yarn in multiple ways to create well-detailed material. While the texture is soft, the tie has high durability, natural elasticity, and a finishing look that gives you an elegant and classy vibe.

The weft thread is actually 1.7 times thinner than others, which helps in bringing intricate designs to life. These designs are complicated, detailed, and very accurate.

Most other brands have around 8,000 to 9,000 warp threads per meter, but Nishijijn Kyoto silk have around 10,500 warp threads per meter making it denser and stronger than others.

Thinner threads also lead to slower weaving speeds making it around 50 - 70% slower that other factories, but that makes up for pristine quality and perfection.

Once the weaving process is complete, the sample swatches will then be arranged.
As soon as the samples have been completed, swatches are sent to be approved. As soon as the the swatches are approved, mass production weaving will take place.

When mass production has been completed the finished textiles will be sent to the factories to be manufactured into neckties.
This entire process spans from 1.5 to 3 months depending on the quantity required.

Nishijin woven silk thread

Craftsmanship - We listen, they hear, and we make it happen

What makes Nishijin-ori stand out is its scrupulous weaving technology, and the craftsmen’s attention to even the smallest details. Process of picking the color and pattern coordination for the woven area is the same as that of a kimono’s; they are carefully sought out. Each hand-stitched ties have a vibrant appearance with a sense of sophistication added in the finishing look.

FORTUNA Tokyo Nishijin woven Kyoto

High durability and attracting colors (facts)

Below is a chart comparing the degree of color fastness of our silk neckties to a one from an Italian brand. With 5 being the highest rank and 1 being the lowest, FORTUNA Tokyo’s 4.2 is decent grade considering it went above the average in the Japanese industry, which is 4 out of 5. In Japan, many factors are weighed in when determining the degree of color fastness. For example, contact with the shirt or skin, or the absorbent of sweat is put are crucial points when grading. On the other hand, the Italian brand’s average score was 3.7, below the average of Japanese quality neckties. Generally accepted degree differs from country to country. Opposed to Japan’s high bar, in most European countries grade 3 would make a satisfying number, thus the Italia brand’s average grade is considered good in European countries. While it is true the lower the grade, the wider the variation of color is, it also has its downside. Products given a smaller number for the degree of color fastness are more likely to have colors fade off in a fast rate.


Wrinkle free, dirt free

Our woven silk neckties retains its shape, and is wrinkle-resistant. Additionally, our silk does not attract dirt, making the product durable.

The Katana cut

The lower sections of our neckties resemble the end of a sharp Katana. Every product is cut on the bias, which means they are cut at a 45 degrees angle for a straight hang, nicer shape, and natural elasticity.

Bar tack

On the back of the necktie we have a bar tack, which is a heavy horizontal stitch, in order to reinforce closure and maintain its original form. That is why there’s no need to worry about the tie starting to bubble up.

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