Kondaya Genbey

     Located on Kyoto's Muromachi-dori, Kondaya Genbey is a long-established manufacturer and purveyor of obi with a history stretching back over 280 years. The current head of the company is the tenth-generation Genbey Yamaguchi; a formidable innovator he uses the skills passed down to him through the generations to create highly artistic new kimono and obi. In addition, he devotes himself to the resurrection and preservation of paper fabrics, koishimaru silk, and traditional dyeing techniques.

1738     The 1st-generation Yashiro Shogoro established the Minami Yashiro Kondaya in Nishijin. 

1868     The sixth-generation Yashiro Shogoro passed on the seventh-generation company 

headship to Yamaguchi Genbey from the Matsuo district of Kyoto. He renames 

the company Kondaya Genbey. He is known in Nishijin as the king of obi wholesalers.

1980     He is succeeded by the current Yamaguchi Genbey X, who concentrates the business on obi manufacture.

1985     Solo exhibition by Yamaguchi Genbey X of obi made from primitive textiles sourced from different parts of Japan. Starts weaving obi using valuable materials such as wild silk from India and Southeast Asia. 

2002     Exhibition entitled Kaguya Kono Mayu Koishimaru at Sogetsu hall in Tokyo. Invites the imperial family and the Imperial Household Agency officials, and receives Nikkei MJ Award. 

2004     Received Japan Culture Design Award at Roppongi Hills in Tokyo. Launched a study group to explore the symbolism of design motifs on Muromachi (1336 1573) and Momoyama (1573-1615) period clothing. Group exhibition entitled Weaving Noh at Koseiin in Kyoto, with Heikichi Harada (a compu ter graphic artist) and Hosomi Museum of Art individual collection. Exhibition entitled Kasane - Abstraction in Ink and Colour at Daimaru Museum in Tokyo in collaboration with fashion designer Koshino Hiroko and architect Kuma Kengo. 

2008     Fashion show entitled Kabuku Monotachi no Keifu (A Lineage of Dandies) in collaboration with United Arrows at Tokyo Midtown. 

2009     Designed costumes for Tanaka Min for the film Hokaibito including funzoe for the Heisei period.

2012     Appeared on television in the NHK BS (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) Takeshi Kitano Art Beat: A Man Who Instils his Soul into Obi-Making. Chosen as an image character for the Toyota Motor Corporation. 

2014     Created obi inspired by the works of the painter Matsui Fuyuko. Presented a textile brand majotae by using hemp in collaboration with AVEX GROUP HOLDINGS INC. 

2015     Gave a lecture and handled a kimono show in the event for VIP organized by Chanel at  Kenninji- Ryosokuin.

2016     Five obi and two fabric for kimono owned as a permanent collection by Victoria & Albert Museum in London, U.K.