What is Boro – and why is it more relevant than ever today?
- by MaedaYumiko
- 3 min reading time
Boro is much more than just old fabric. Each repair tells the story of the people who used it, cared for it, and passed it down through generations. A story of sustainability, craftsmanship, and the beauty of lived time.
Boro – The Beauty of a Lived Life
We recently had the opportunity to add a special piece of Boro to our collection.
But what exactly is Boro?
The term "Boro" (襤褸) originates from Japan and originally means "worn out" or "patched fabrics." Today, it refers to textiles that have been used, repaired, and reused over many generations.
Boro originated primarily in the rural regions of Japan, especially in the northeast of the country (Tōhoku).
In a time when fabrics were precious and difficult to obtain, kimonos, bedding, furoshiki cloths, and other textiles were not thrown away. Damaged areas were patched with additional pieces of fabric and repeatedly repaired by hand. Many of these textiles were passed down from parents to their children and later to their grandchildren.
Thus, over the years, unique textiles emerged, layered with numerous fabric patches and hand-stitched repairs. Each piece tells its own story and possesses a distinctive character.
In the past, Boro was often seen as a symbol of poverty. Today, however, these textiles are valued as testaments to a life in which resources were used carefully. The traces of repairs tell of creativity, craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the things of everyday life.
Precisely for this reason, Boro textiles are cherished today by collectors, textile enthusiasts, and design aficionados all over the world.
Through my work with kimonos and haori, I repeatedly encountered Boro. However, these pieces are also very popular in Japan, which is why it was not easy for a long time to include them in my own collection.
Therefore, I can only occasionally offer Boro pieces. However, when a special opportunity or encounter arises, I look forward to gradually sharing them with you.
You can find the currently available Boro pieces here.
Today, mass production and mass consumption have become commonplace worldwide. Many things are readily available, and our daily lives are therefore more comfortable than ever.
At the same time, I feel that we are increasingly less likely to repair, care for, or repurpose things with our own ideas.
Whenever I return to Japan, I realize how much our modern life is shaped by an abundance of things. Convenience is undoubtedly a positive thing. Nevertheless, I sometimes wonder if we are not also losing a bit of the ability to preserve and appreciate things with our own hands.
Precisely for this reason, the philosophy of Boro still seems significant to me today.
Don't throw away, but repair.
Don't replace, but continue to use.
This embodies far more than frugality. It's about gratitude, respect, and the appreciation of what accompanies us.
This attitude is found not only in Japan but in many cultures around the world. Through my work with kimonos and historical textiles, however, I had the privilege of repeatedly encountering this special Japanese perspective.
Boro is therefore far more than just old fabric.
It contains the stories of the people who used it, the time it has endured, and a deep appreciation for the things of life.
These old textiles also repeatedly make me reflect.
I would be delighted if people who can feel these stories and this warmth could discover a piece of it for themselves.