Kyoto

In Kyoto, 27-year-old Kengo Banba is revitalizing his family's 150-year-old dyeing workshop by adapting the prestigious kuro-zome black dyeing technique to Western clothing. Facing near closure due to his grandfather's illness, his mother took over the business, and now Banba continues the legacy with a pursuit of a shade 'blacker than black'.

14 Mwezi wa kumi na mbili, 2025 Imeripotiwa na AI

Takeshi Kondo, the 35-year-old fourth-generation owner of Torokuya in Kyoto's Mibu district, is innovating traditional Japanese confectionery amanatto using cacao beans and nuts. His Shuka brand, launched in 2022, targets younger customers and global appeal. This effort preserves cultural heritage through adaptation.