Aoyagi's third president Kurando Aoyagi is appointed to the position
The Tokamachi region produces around 130,000 kimono each year.
Here is a look at the evolution of Aoyagi starting from the present day.
The History of Aoyagi and Tokamachi
See Our History by Era
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Since initiating in-house production
(After 1981)
- The History of Aoyagi
- The History of Tokamachi
2020(Reiwa 2)
2018(Heisei 30)
Aoyagi opens its factory to the public
2017(Heisei 29)
Aoyagi presents furisode and houmongi kimonos to 4-time consecutive Olympic gold medalist, Kaori Icho
The 60th Tokamachi Snow Festival Carnival is held
(The Tokamachi Textile Association has played a major role in its organization since 1977)
2016(Heisei 28)
Aoyagi's second president is appointed as chairman of the Tokamachi Tourist Association
2015(Heisei 27)
Aoyagi unveils its premium brand, Kiwamibi
2011(Heisei 23)
Tokamachi holds the first "Kimono no Machi, Tokamachi" public seminar
2009(Heisei 21)
Aoyagi's shibori furisode kimono is awarded the Regional Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Director's Prize
Tokamachi develops a citywide program to teach 1st grade junior high school students about kimono
2008(Heisei 20)
Aoyagi's Wakamatsu Kourinha Zu kimono 
is awarded The Small and Medium Enterprise Agency Prize
2007(Heisei 19)
Aoyagi's Fukugen Kourin Matsushima Zu kimono 
is awarded the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry's Prize
2005(Heisei 17)
Tokamachi companies collaborate on the Kuremachisu kimonobrand as part of a prefectural industrial promotion plan
Exhibition of Kuremachisu kimono
2004(Heisei 16)
An exhibition of Hyakka kimono, the inspiration for Aoyagi's Taiki Hyakka brand, is held
Tokamachi Textile Association Youth Group participate in an exhibition of kimono in Turin, Italy
2003(Heisei 15)
Aoyagi's shibori furisode kimono is awarded the Niigata Governor's Prize
Aoyagi's second president is appointed as chairman of the Tokamachi Textiles Association
1999(Heisei 11)
Aoyagi's tsumugi shibori houmongi kimono is awarded for its excellence
1997(Heisei 11)
Marking 25 years of shibori hana oke kimono, Aoyagi develops its new and original Taiki Hyakka kimono brand
1994(Heisei 6)
Aoyagi's tashoku okezome shibori houmongi kimono is awarded for its excellence
1992(Heisei 4)
The company is renamed to Aoyagi Co., Ltd
1991(Heisei 3)
Aoyagi's okezome dyed outerwear is awarded for its excellence
1990(Heisei 2)
Aoyagi establishes a branch in Kyoto
Aoyagi's oke-shibori furisode kimonois awarded the Small Business Association Director's Prize
1987(Showa 62)
Aoyagi's first presidentis honored with a Yellow Ribbon recognizing his contribution to the industry
1986(Showa 61)
Aoyagi's tashoku okezome shibori houmongi kimono
is awarded for its excellence
1983(Showa 58)
The 1st national summit for kimono is held at the newly opened Cross 10 Center for Industrial Promotion in Tokamachi. The event is attended by over 300 leading figures from the kimono world
1982(Showa 57)
Aoyagi's fushikaden kimono 
is awarded the Minister for International Trade and Industry's Prize
Tokamachi Akashi-chijimi and Tokamachi-kasuri fabrics are designated as traditional crafts under the Promotion of the Traditional Craft Industries Act
1981(Showa 56)
Aoyagi's second president is appointed to the position
Aoyagi begins to operate with in-house start to finish production
Tokamachi decides the first ever kimono tanjoiro
From our founding to the start of in-house production
(1911 to 1980)
- The History of Aoyagi
- The History of Tokamachi
1980(Showa 55)
Aoyagi develops techniques to inetgrate yuzen dyeing, gold foils and embroidery processes with okezome and shibori dyeing
1979(Showa 54)
Aoyagi's oke-shibori coat 
is awarded the Minister for International Trade and Industry's Prize
1977(Showa 52)
Aoyagi's first president is appointed as chairman of the Tokamachi Textiles Association
1956(Showa 31)
The 1st Tokamachi Snow Festival Carnival is held
1952(Showa 27)
Aoyagi Orimono Co., Ltd. is founded
Aoyagi's work is awarded numerous awards including Minister's Prizes at a competition
1950(Showa 25)
The 1st Tokamachi Snow Festival is held
1949(Showa 24)
The first post-war textile exhibition is held
1948(Showa 23)
Aoyagi establishes as a weaver
1938(Showa 13)
Aoyagi establishes as an independent dyer
Aoyagi attracts attention as the first to yuzen dye in Tokamachi, a region which until then had only produced sakizome kimono
1935(Showa 10)
Aoyagi visits Tokamachi for the first time and finds work at a local textile manufacturer while developing his own dyeing techniques; his bokashizome is a big hit.
The Tokamachi Association of Textile Manufacturers is founded
1934(Showa 9)
Improvements to waterproofing makes Akashi-chijimi the first choice in luxury summer kimono
1930(Showa 5)
Aoyagi completes its long-awaited winter kimono made from patterned white silk
1928(Showa 3)
Aoyagi studies yuzen dyeing techniques while working at a dye house in Niigata City for 7 years
1925(Taisho 14)
The 1st exhibition of winter kimono is held
1921(Taisho 10)
Development of omeshi crepe fabric
1911(Meiji 44)
Aoyagi's first president, Taiki Aoyagi, is born in Kurosaki Village, Niigata City
1910(Meiji 43)
The first power loom is installed in Tokamachi
Before Aoyagi Co., Ltd
(Before 1910)
- The History of Tokamachi
1899(Meiji 32)
The Tokamachi Textile Association is founded
1887(Meiji 20)
Zenjiro Sato develops Akashi-chijimi silk crepe
1829(Bunsei 12)
Mojuro Miyamoto brings silk crepe fabrics and the takahata loom to Tokamachi
1805(Bunka 2)
Documents are submitted to the Aizu government office by 19 Tokamachi village heads that state over 80% of households in Tokamachi were weaving Echigo-chijimi at the time
1688(Genroku period)
Echigo-chijimi is selected as the official fabric for the shogunate's ceremonial kimono
1573(Tensho period)
Kenshin Uesugi calls for increased ramie cultivation
1559(Eiroku 2)
Kenshin Uesugi presents Emperor Ogimachi with Echigo crepe fabrics
1380(Tenju 6)
The Muromachi shogunate selects Echigo crepe as its official fabric for ceremonial kimono
1192(Kenkyu 3)
Minamoto no Yoritomo presents an imperial envoy with 1000 bolts of Echigo crepe fabric
905(Heian period)
Fujiwara no Tadahira purchases 1000 bolts of Echigo crepe fabric
753(Nara period)
Ramie crepe fabrics are presented as tribute to the imperial Shosoin treasure house
1500
years ago(Kofun period middle stage)
A lifestyle of rice cultivation and textile weaving takes hold in the Tokamachi region
