News Releases 2009
Kuraray and Baistone Jointly Develop Stylish Products That Combine CLARINO Man-Made Leather with Kurashiki Canvas
December 22, 2009
Kuraray Co., Ltd.
Baistone Co., Ltd.
Kuraray Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Fumio Ito; "Kuraray") and Baistone Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture; President: Tokushi Takeyari; "Baistone"), which is known for its Kurashiki Canvas brand, have jointly developed three products: a book cover, memo pad holder and ID card case & neck strap. Featuring a combination of Kuraray's CLARINO man-made leather and Baistone's Kurashiki Canvas, these items will go on sale at Baistone's company-owned stores on December 25. (Sales are scheduled to commence at Baistone's new mail-order website, www.kurashikicanvas.com, in April 2010.)
Canvas production has been a traditional industry in the Kurashiki area since the Taisho era (1912–1926) and currently accounts for approximately 70% of all canvas produced in Japan according to industry estimates. Demand for canvas had briefly slackened, reflecting changing tastes in everyday goods. However, in recent years, quality canvas materials that possess a certain warmth and vintage appeal have caught the attention of consumers, especially young people. Consequently, such materials have regained their popularity through the development of new products that are more in keeping with present-day lifestyles.
These refined, chic and stylish new products have been developed through a combination of Baistone's striped Kurashiki Canvas-using yarn dyed in pastel colors (including pink, light blue, brown and beige)-and Kuraray's CLARINO and CLARINO/PARCASSIO man-made leathers.
Kurashiki Canvas is a high-strength, combed cotton yarn that is dyed and painstakingly weaved to give its characteristic durability, color retention and fine texture. In addition, CLARINO and CLARINO/PARCASSIO feature an easy-care, supple texture that is both strong and light.
Additional items featuring environment-friendly CLARINO/TIRRENINA man-made leathers are expected to be added to this lineup of products in the near future.
- * Canvas is a plain, thick fabric made from cotton, hemp and other fibers.
Book Cover (Black)
Memo Pad Holder (Bronze)
ID Card Case & Neck Strap (Black)
| Book Cover | Memo Pad Holder | ID Card Case & Neck Strap | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colors | Black, Brown, White | Black, Brown, Bronze | Black, Brown, White |
| Size | Length: 16.3cm Width: 32cm (when opened) |
Length: 11.7cm Width: 8.7cm Thickness: 1.1cm |
ID Card Case Length:7.1cm Width: 11.6cm Neck Strap Length: 84cm Width: 1.1cm |
| Recommended retail price (excluding tax) |
¥2,800 | ¥2,800 | ¥3,300 |
| Materials used | CLARINO and Kurashiki Canvas | CLARINO/PARCASSIO and Kurashiki Canvas |
CLARINO/PARCASSIO and Kurashiki Canvas |
| Remarks | Paperback size | Includes memo paper |
- * The color design of Kurashiki Canvas (Name: Hoso)
Reference
Overview of Baistone Co., Ltd.
| Headquarters | 414-2 Sobara, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, 710-0146 |
|---|---|
| Established | 2003 |
| Capital | ¥10 million |
| Representative director | Tokushi Takeyari |
| Number of employees | Eight |
| Website | http://www.baistone.jp/ (Japanese language only) |
| Company-owned stores | Two
|
- * The name Baistone is derived from the Chinese characters found in the names of the first person to begin producing canvas in Kurashiki, Ishigoro Takeyari, and his wife, Ume. In English, it means "plum stone."
- Kuraray Co., Ltd. was founded in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture in 1926, under the name Kurashiki Kenshoku Co., Ltd., with the purpose of commercializing synthetic rayon.
