KI NO BI unveils limited-edition set wrapped in intricately patterned ‘kimono’ silk

KI NO BI has delved into Kyoto’s rich history for a limited-edition set inspired by a classic work of Japanese literature and embraces a kimono-making technique that dates from the 5th century.

Every year, KI NO BI launches a limited-edition set to celebrate and pay homage to the heritage and craftsmanship of Japan’s Kyoto region where it is based. 

For its 2024 collection, KI NO BI has taken inspiration from a masterpiece of Japanese literature, The Tale of Genji; an epic story of aristocratic life in Japan in the 11th century. Written by lady-in-waiting Murasaki Shikibu over 1,000 years ago, it’s a beautifully crafted story of love, betrayal and death at the Imperial Court in Japan’s ancient capital Kyoto.

Featuring five of KI NO BI’s most beloved products – four gins and one liqueur,¹ the bottles are packaged in an elegant Kiribako box, handmade from paulownia wood, in a style that has been used in Japan for many centuries to protect valuable items. The pattern on the box’s lid is taken from a hangi woodblock design from Kira Karacho, the oldest karakami atelier in Japan, with roots dating back to 1624.

The obi begins with the process of dyeing each silk thread and is then handwoven by skilled Nishijin artisans

Daisuke Kano, President of Kanoko

The bottles are wrapped in authentic silk textiles made by Kanoko, one of the most renowned and oldest kimono makers, founded in 1889 in the Nishijin area of Kyoto – an area famed for its skilled craftsmanship and unique dyeing technique that dates to the 5^th century. Just like in the past, all the designs were hand-drawn by an artist and woven into silk using a handloom. 

Daisuke Kano, President of Kanoko, says: “The obi begins with the process of dyeing each silk thread and is then handwoven by skilled Nishijin artisans. We carefully adjusted the colours of these designs to match the flavours of each craft gin through multiple iterations.”

Each of the collection’s textile-wrapped bottles represents one of the novel’s female characters, with colours borrowed from the four seasons. From the passionate Princess Aoi to the cute but devilish Yugao, the characters’ personality traits are intricately woven into the patterns of the obi-kimono-belt-sized silk textiles that envelop each bottle.  

For the design, we created five new abstract patterns inspired by the heroines of The Tale of Genji

Jun Tomita, Design Director Kanoko

Jun Tomita, Design Director KI NO BI Kyoto Legacy Collection, says: “We aimed to keep the design minimal, while decorating the bottle with one of the most intricate obi (kimono sashes) in Japan, maintaining its actual size. For the design, we created five new abstract patterns inspired by the heroines of The Tale of Genji. The obi cords, intentionally designed to be feminine, are hand-braided and adorned with tassels to evoke Miyabi, the elegant beauty of Kyoto.”