The Making of the Yama Work Shirt — Reimagining Traditional Japanese Workwear for Today —
The Yama Work Shirt by Kyoya Dye Works is a modern reinterpretation of traditional Japanese workwear once worn in the mountains and fields of Tohoku.
This article explores how this garment was rediscovered, redesigned, and brought into everyday life—while preserving the quiet wisdom of Japanese craftsmanship.
1. Where the Idea Began — A Shirt to Pair with SAPPAKAMA
The journey started with a simple desire:
“What if there was a shirt that paired beautifully with SAPPAKAMA?”
As we researched the history of Japanese workwear, we came across an unfamiliar but compelling term: “yama-work-shirt.”
It was once a practical garment worn by people working in forests and fields across Tohoku.
2. What Is a Yama-Work-Shirt? — Traditional Japanese Mountain Workwear
A yama-shirt was typically a long-sleeve shirt with a stand collar and narrow openings at the neck and cuffs.
Its design had one purpose: to keep soil, wood chips, and dust from entering the garment while working.
Most were made from durable hemp fabric woven at home.
Over time, people reinforced worn areas with layered cloth and sashiko stitching—creating garments that matured with use.
In other words, the yama-work-shirt was:
“Clothing that grows with the wearer.”
3. Bringing the Spirit of Workwear Into the Present
We asked ourselves:
“If we were to create a yama-work-shirt for today, what should it look like?”
While modern life may not demand mountain or field labor,
the desire for long-lasting, thoughtfully made clothing remains universal.
The Tohoku culture of repairing, reinforcing, and caring for garments
is a heritage we believe still resonates deeply.
So we aimed to design:
A yama-work-shirt that blends tradition with comfort, practicality, and quiet beauty—something you’ll want to wear for years.
4. Choosing the Fabric — Material That “Ages Well”
Our first step in making the modern Yama Work Shirt was selecting the fabric.
We focused on the essentials:
・How does it feel against the skin?
・Does it soften with repeated wear?
・Will the texture deepen over time?
To honor the original spirit of the yama-work-shirt, the fabric needed to grow more expressive with each wash—just like traditional Japanese workwear once did.
After many tests, we found a material that carries warmth, durability, and an evolving character.
5. Shaping the Silhouette — Comfort Born From Function
Next, we refined the silhouette.
We kept the iconic stand collar while adjusting the overall balance so the shirt could move effortlessly with the body.
During fittings and prototyping, one key principle emerged:
“The shoulders should never feel tight—even when bending forward.”
This simple requirement reflects the functional roots of Japanese workwear.
It is also what makes the YAMA SHIRT comfortable for daily life—whether working outdoors, moving around the house, or exploring the city.
6. The Large Front Pocket — A Practical Inheritance
One of the Yama Work Shirt’s defining features is its large front pocket.
In the past, workers stored tools and small essentials in their yama-shirts.
In modern life, we carry different things—but the need for practicality remains.
Phones, notebooks, keys, earbuds—everything fits naturally into this generously sized pocket.
By using almost the entire front panel, we created a design that is functional without feeling heavy.
7. Completing the Yama Work Shirt — Tradition Meets Modern Life
Piece by piece—fabric, structure, pocket, silhouette—the design came together.
The result is a garment that connects the past and present:
・Traditional Japanese craftsmanship
・Functional design shaped by real workwear
・Comfort suitable for everyday life
・A texture that grows better with time
The Yama Work Shirt is not simply a reproduction.
It is a continuation of Tohoku’s heritage, translated for the rhythms of modern living.
8. A Shirt to Grow With
The Yama Work Shirt carries the wisdom of a region where clothing was part of life’s work.
It is meant to be worn, washed, mended, and lived in—
a companion rather than a fashion item.
We hope this shirt becomes something you grow fond of over time,
and that its quiet strength supports you in your everyday journey.