For this special collection, Yagi-san used kuro tomesode (黒留袖, kurotomesode) kimono, the most formal type of kimono traditionally worn by married women at ceremonies such as weddings and formal events. These garments are crafted from luxurious black silk, often adorned with elegant motifs below the waist and family crests (家紋, kamon)) on the back and shoulders.

Because of their traditional significance,  黒留袖  (kurotomesode) are often worn only a handful of times in one’s life. Their use is reserved for rare and important moments, and for much of their existence, they remain carefully stored away, protected, and unseen. These garments are more than clothing; they are heirlooms, quietly carrying memory, identity, and tradition across generations.

Rather than allow them to remain hidden, Yagi-san has respectfully transformed these kimono into shirts that bring their beauty back into daily life. She carefully separates the kimono, cutting each piece of fabric with intention, highlighting the original designs, and bringing what is usually reserved for formal celebration into the celebration of everyday life. The result is not just a shirt, but a reflection of Japanese textile artistry, adapted for the present.

Most of the shirts feature the red-crowned crane (丹頂鶴, tanchōzuru), a symbol of longevity, grace, and good fortune in Japanese culture. These birds are believed to live a thousand years and are often seen in celebratory kimono as emblems of hope, fidelity, and elegance. In nature, their lifelong pair bonds and graceful courtship dances have come to symbolize enduring love, reinforcing their status as emblems of devotion.