ABOUT US
Using rich materials nurtured by nature,
Weaving is done slowly using an old-fashioned shuttle-type power loom.
We create fabrics that are kind to people and the earth, and can be washed and dried in the sun without worrying.
The things we wear in our daily lives,
Something that feels as natural and warm as possible.
Only the amount that can reach the people you want to reach.
We create products with this in mind.
~ ETHICALLY / MADE IN HYOGO, JAPAN ~
WOVEN, DYED AND STITCHED IN JAPAN
Based in Nishiwaki, Hyogo, Japan, I create original fabrics using an 80-year-old vintage shuttle loom, carefully checking the final color, texture, and feel throughout the process.
Each fabric is produced in very small quantities, with the color, weave structure, and yarn count changed every few meters, making each piece close to one of a kind.
I pay close attention to the materials from the very beginning, including the fibers and dyes. Alongside natural materials, I use eco-friendly dyes and plant-based dyes, all dyed in my own studio.
Woven slowly on an old shuttle loom, these carefully crafted fabrics have a warm, handmade character, vivid colors, an exceptional texture, and a beautiful feel against the skin.
Please experience our scarves, hats, and garments, born from vintage machinery and natural materials.
Made by Leo — Satoshi Koizumi
BRANDS
Inspired by the craftsmanship and pride of the Banshu-ori artisans, I moved to Nishiwaki, Hyogo in 2013 with the desire to create alongside them in the same environment.
To share the true essence of craftsmanship with a wider audience, I founded the brand L.E.O. – Revealing and Guiding the Essence of Craftsmanship –.
After one of the artisans I had worked closely with since the beginning retired, I inherited one of the few remaining shuttle looms in the region in 2014 and began production in my own workshop.
In 2025, I launched Studio At Leo, a one-of-a-kind sashiko brand where each piece is carefully finished by hand stitching, one stitch at a time.
SLOW FASHION BRAND
Creating value through natural materials, natural colors, and things born from nature.
A travel-loving creator who journeys overseas every year draws inspiration from nature and transforms those experiences into designs, creating pieces with a focus on
“SLOW FASHION – MADE IN JAPAN –” and craftsmanship that is gentle on both people and the planet.
BANSHU-ORI
The origins of Banshu-ori date back to 1792 (Kansei 4), when weaving techniques were introduced from Nishijin in Kyoto. Banshu-ori flourished in Nishiwaki due to the suitability of the local river water for dyeing yarns. Using these dyed yarns, various patterns such as checks and stripes were woven, followed by finishing processes like wrinkle resistance and shape retention. This “yarn-dyed fabric” production became a major industry, and Banshu developed into a prosperous center for such textiles.
At its peak, there was a period known as the “Gachaman” era, when the town was filled with factories. The sound of the shuttle loom—“gacha”—was so valuable that it was said a single ‘gacha’ was worth 10,000 yen. However, in recent years, many factories have closed, and only a few remain in operation today.
We value the process of craftsmanship and are committed to conveying this to consumers, while looking ahead to the future of Banshu-ori.
