Le chai o Launches “Makomo Fabric Flower Ornaments,” a New Floral Project Combining Izumo’s Traditional Makomo Grass with Handmade Peony Fabric Flowers

Le chai o Co., Ltd., which operates flower shops in Matsue and Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, has launched a new project called “Makomo Fabric Flower Ornaments” through its Izumo-based shop, Enyui Hanaya Ichiren®. The project combines makomo, a traditional natural material from the Izumo region that is braided by hand, with handmade peony fabric flowers crafted through dyeing, cutting, heat shaping, and forming from hemp cloth. The project proposes a new form of floral culture that brings the value of local culture and handcraft into contemporary living. The lineup includes the MAKOMO Fabric Flower Wreath “Yui,” the MAKOMO Fabric Flower Wreath “E ishi,” the MAKOMO Glass Dome “E,” and the MAKOMO Lucky cha m “Sachi.” The first feature is the use of makomo, a natural material nurtured in the Izumo region. Makomo has long been used in Shinto rituals and is deeply connected to local culture. It is also said to have environmental purification properties. Through flowers, the company aims to bring this pure power and the culture rooted in the land of Izumo into modern life. The second feature is an integrated handcraft process that begins with the materials themselves. Dried makomo is braided by hand, while the fabric is carefully dyed, cut, heat-shaped, and formed piece by piece. The third feature is that the flowers are designed to accompany both everyday spaces and life milestones. They are proposed not only as interior decorations but also as gifts and flowers for meaningful moments in life. The production process begins with braiding, in which Izumo’s sacred makomo grass is carefully braided to form the base of the ornament. Next comes coloring with bengara dye, a natural pigment derived from earth. The company chose bengara to express the depth of Shimane’s prefectural flower, the peony, and to create colors that blend with the local climate and landscape. The dyed cloth is then cut into individual petals, with subtle differences in curves shaping the expression of the flower. Heated irons are used to breathe life into the flat fabric, rounding the edges and giving it dimension to create the dignified texture unique to peonies. Finally, all parts are assembled into a single ornament, combining the strength of makomo with the elegance of the peony. The company opened its Izumo shop in 2022 as a florist incorporating Japanese elements, repeatedly creating prototypes while seeking a form of expression unlike any other. However, it found limits in differentiating itself through combinations of existing materials alone. In 2024, when the Matsue main store relocated and the company began pursuing new developments, a connection with the representative of a makomo association became a major turning point. This encounter led the company to shift toward an integrated handcraft approach, braiding makomo itself and making fabric flowers from the cloth stage onward. The resulting “Makomo Fabric Flower Ornaments” are produced and sold at the Izumo shop, which operates as a Japanese-style florist. By combining materials rooted in Izumo with handcraft, the company is proposing a new expression of flowers. Looking ahead, Le chai o plans to expand into urban areas while maintaining production in Izumo as its foundation. It is also considering overseas expansion under the brand name Enyuitowani® (ENYUITOWANI), including demand from inbound tourism. In addition, the company is focusing on kimono culture around Izumo Taisha, proposing kimono-style bouquets and decorations, while also exploring the end-of-life planning field as flowers that accompany life milestones. The company is also considering development as bouquets for traditional Japanese weddings. Le chai o Co., Ltd. was incorporated on March 22, 2024. It is located at 7-5-15 Hamanogi, Matsue, Shimane Prefecture, and is represented by Isako Okui. The Matsue main store, Le chai o, was founded on December 6, 2019, at the same address. The Izumo shop, Enyui Hanaya Ichiren®, was founded on July 12, 2022, and is located at 135-3 Chuo-dori, Imaichi-cho, Izumo, Shimane Prefecture.