KyotoCollection

I'm an American in Kyoto. I enjoy exploring, letting serendipity guide me as I wander down narrow streets. 20 years here haven't put a dent in the number of places waiting to be found!

The Japanese fabric you'll see here is material I've personally selected in Kyoto. I specialize in authentic Japanese cotton fabric made with pride in Japan. If you're looking to buy Japanese fabrics such as furoshiki and tenugui or are just curious about the various motifs and their meanings, I hope you'll enjoy spending time here in my shop.

I got my start in Japan as an English teacher, and although I took great satisfaction and pleasure in that, I was craving a deeper connection with Kyoto, and wanted to interact with Japanese people of all sorts in their own language on their terms, including those who have no particular interest in English.

For almost two decades I've been representing people here in Kyoto who make and deal in traditional goods. Through that I've been able to learn more about the culture and language and have some nice times over sake and sushi with some very kind, talented people.

I've also been lucky enough to meet some of the people who've found my offerings online when they come to see Kyoto. It's a treat to put a face to the name-as central as the computer has become to my life, nothing can take the place of a warm smile!

For many years I ran things on my own from Kyoto and personally handled all the shipping from here. But I wasn't satisfied with the time it took packages to get to the states from Japan. So in 2015 I started working with Dana, who will take care of your order. She'll send it from Los Angeles via USPS with tracking, so it will get to you quickly and smoothly. Oh, and she also happens to be my sister! :)

We're thrilled to have the chance to work together and we appreciate your support!

Ookini(Kyoto dialect for arigato),

Gary Bloom