CLASSICS the Small Luxury Launches New HIKKOMI Handkerchief Collection Featuring Humorous Embroidered Proverbs: 'Catching a Tai with a Shrimp' and 'Charge Forward Wild Boar'

CLASSICS the Small Luxury is a handkerchief specialty store operated by Blooming Nakanishi Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and Director: Kazu Nakanishi), a pioneer in Japan's handkerchief industry based in Ningyocho, Tokyo. The company will launch a new handkerchief collection from its HIKKOMI (Hikkomi) series, themed around Japanese proverbs, starting June 17, 2026 (Wednesday).

Handkerchiefs as Words of Encouragement

Time-honored Japanese proverbs are paired with light-hearted illustrations to create uplifting pieces for everyday life. Traditional proverbs carry meanings that are slightly humorous, a bit stern, yet fundamentally positive. The new 'Proverb' series reinterprets these expressions as encouraging messages relevant to modern lifestyles—a collection of handkerchiefs designed to send cheer or bring a smile with auspicious symbolism.

A Unique Creation Only Possible from a Handkerchief Specialist

"Does it have to be square?"

This simple question from a designer sparked the birth of the HIKKOMI (Hikkomi) series—a uniquely shaped handkerchief with recessed edges, a distinctive feature only a dedicated handkerchief store could create. Since its launch, the series has gained popularity with designs based on animal motifs like cats and dogs, and storybook themes such as 'Snow White' and 'The Bremen Town Musicians.' Now, four new designs inspired by Japanese proverbs are being introduced.

Bringing Words to Life Through Embroidery: Trial and Error with Artisans

The charm of the HIKKOMI series lies in its ability to convey rich narratives through small embroidered details. For this collection, the theme 'proverbs' presented a new challenge: expressing intangible words as visual designs, rather than depicting visible motifs. The team believed that translating the wisdom embedded in these phrases into design would allow the handkerchiefs to carry messages of encouragement, gratitude, and more. Each proverb’s meaning and imagery was carefully interpreted and rendered into intricate embroidery.

For example, to express the energy and dynamism conveyed by the four-character idiom 'Charge Forward Wild Boar' (Shottotsu Monshin), the wild boar embroidery was enhanced with tulle ribbon to create a three-dimensional effect, capturing the animal charging forward. Countless prototypes were made through trial and error—whether to use one or two circular orbits, what width of tape would achieve the best balance—to perfect the final design.

■ HIKKOMI Series Proverb Handkerchiefs Overview

Price per design: 3,300 JPY (tax included)
Size: 41×41cm

・Catching a Tai with a Shrimp (Ebi de Tai o Tsuru)

Small actions can lead to great joy.

Just as a small shrimp can lead to catching a large tai (sea bream), small daily actions or gestures of kindness can unexpectedly bring great happiness. This handkerchief captures the joyful encounters that lie just beyond an ordinary step. The shrimp on the fishing line and the tai gazing at it are delicately embroidered.

・Charge Forward Wild Boar (Shottotsu Monshin)

A handkerchief that supports moving forward with determination.

The image of a wild boar charging ahead symbolizes the courage to take on new challenges. This uplifting piece gently encourages those who are striving forward. The wild boar running powerfully forward is depicted with delicate embroidery and three-dimensional tulle ribbon stitching.

・When a Bird Takes Flight, It Leaves No Muddied Trail (Tatsu Tori Ato o Nigosa-zu)

Depart beautifully, leaving gratitude behind.

The image of a bird taking flight evokes new beginnings and farewells. This handkerchief reflects the sentiment of cherishing places that have supported you and moving forward with gratitude. Suitable as a gift for farewells, graduations, or transfers. The crane taking flight from the water is finely embroidered, and the water surface is rendered in three-dimensional picot lace. Recommended for graduation, retirement, or other life milestones, as a gift filled with appreciation.

・Even a Dog Meets a Stick if It Walks (Inu mo Arukeba Bō ni Ataru)

Walking brings unexpected encounters.

Taking that first step outside can lead to new connections or small strokes of luck. This humorous piece gently encourages a more positive daily life. The dog pulling the handkerchief and the stick are finely embroidered, with the grassy area represented by fringe.

■ About CLASSICS the Small Luxury

CLASSICS the Small Luxury is a handkerchief specialty store launched in 2003 by Blooming Nakanishi, founded in 1879, driven by the desire to deliver quiet, refined luxury through years of handkerchief craftsmanship.

A handkerchief is just a small piece of cloth—but it can carry many emotions. With seasonally changing, thoughtfully designed patterns, high-quality materials, and beautiful craftsmanship, every aspect—from planning and design to production, embroidery, customer service, and packaging—is dedicated to delivering "exceptional, subtle luxury" into someone’s daily life. We are specialists in handkerchiefs. We send the love poured into each handkerchief around the world.

・Brand Website

https://classics-the-small-luxury.com/

・Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/classics_the_small_luxury/

・X

https://twitter.com/CLASSICS_the_SL

・YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMN_TrcRKoTodino_HQhhYQ

■ Company Overview

Company Name: Blooming Nakanishi Co., Ltd.

Founded: November 16, 1879

Representative: President and Director, Kazu Nakanishi

Head Office: 3-2-8 Ningyocho, Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0013, Japan TEL 03-3663-2331 (main)

Business: Planning and sales of textile products

Products:
1. Handkerchiefs & fashion accessories
2. Tablecloths, table mats, kitchen cloths, and other interior items
3. Linen products for hotels and restaurants (tablecloths, napkins, bathrobes, bath towels, etc.)
4. Other OEM products

Sales Offices: Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka

Direct Stores: 2 CLASSICS the Small Luxury stores (Roppongi Hills Main Store, Ningyocho Store), online shop