Vol.4

Living as a mother and a craftsman

Mr. Kondo is in charge of weaving. He is a weaver with his own loom and works on the front line of the actual weaving of towels. Mr. Kondo spoke sincerely about the sense of responsibility he feels as a mid-career craftsman in production and what he can do to further improve his skills. During the interview, she carefully and sometimes charmingly answered our questions while looking at the notes she had prepared in advance. We caught up with her, a mother and a female craftswoman, in her earnest and positive attitude.

Kondo, Weaving

The first towel used by children after taking a bath

–What do you like about Organic 316 towels?

What do you like about it? I like it too, but my child likes to use it after taking a bath. But I had a great shock yesterday. I had washed and dried the towels and fluffed them up for today, but when I left them there, my child used them first after taking a bath!　I rushed to dry it. Ahhh…the fluffy feeling…. It wasn’t supposed to be like this anymore (laughs). But when I looked at the pictures the photographer took of me earlier, he took a really good picture of the towel.

–It’s a very good picture, isn’t it? The towels are soft and fluffy.

I am very happy. Thank you very much.

Can I talk to you about something else?

–Please come in.

There was a time when I was very discouraged because I had produced a lot of fabrics that did not make it into products, with the border width of organic 316 still widened. At that time, my current chief said to me, “It is okay to fail as long as you make progress the next time. Anyone can do the same thing over and over again. I thought to myself, “It’s okay if I fail. Instead, I had to make progress, so I thought I had to set goals for myself every day and do my best.

So, when I see Organic 316, I go back to the beginning. I wanted to be positive so that I could enjoy my work even if I failed. I have learned to think positively so that it will be “easy.

I didn’t know this company existed (laughs).

–Did you know about IKEUCHI ORGANIC (formerly Ikeuchi Towel) for a long time?

After graduating from high school, I went to work right away at a weaving factory where I worked as a weaver for three years. After that, I got married and worked as a temporary worker. I decided to become a full-time employee at my next job and found Ikeuchi Towel through Hello Work. I found out about Ikeuchi Towel through Hello Work, and the distance between my home and the company was surprisingly close. It was on the way to my child’s elementary school, but I had no idea this company existed (laughs). (Laughs) I was surprised that the company was located in such a place.

Work with family and a safe working environment

–What has made a lasting impression on you since you joined the company?

When I first joined the company, it was the busiest time for me. I worked from 8:00 in the morning until late at night. But my husband gave me permission to work late.

–I am glad that your family was so understanding.

Yes, my family is the reason I do what I do. That’s a point I’d like to emphasize (laughs).
I was also happy to see the drastic change in the company name from Ikeuchi Towel to IKEUCHI ORGANIC two years ago.

Everyday, the loom stops.

–Please tell us about your work.

I am in charge of weaving and connecting threads when the loom breaks. The work is done according to a process chart, but I believe that if the machine stops too often, the textile will not become a product, so I look for mistakes or defects so that the number of stoppages can be reduced.

–When a glitch occurs, does the loom stop?

Yes, it often stops for small things. Right now, I am looking at two of the four looms we have, and one of them does not stop at all. On the other hand, the other loom has been stopping and then fixing itself. I wondered why the other loom kept stopping and fixing itself.

–Does it move differently depending on the day?

It depends on the physical condition of the weaver each day, or it is difficult to weave when it is cold. The loom is special, so it is difficult to see and understand the conditions. The loom stopped earlier, and I responded by twisting the lever (of the loom), but the twist was too soft. I found out later that I was told to move the lever slowly, so I operated the loom in the same way, but it was different from my feeling. I am learning every day.

–Do you have a target operation rate?

I have a target figure of how much weaving I can do per day, and I am very happy when I exceed it. I am very happy when I exceed the target.

Towel Craftsman’s Challenge to Pass the Proficiency Test

–Is there anything you would like to challenge in the future?

Within two years, I would like to pass the Shikoku Towel Manufacturers’ Association’s technical skill test (Note: Shikoku Towel Manufacturers’ Association’s in-house technical skill test). You have to have about four years of experience in towel production to qualify for the test (Note: Level 2 in towel production can be taken with two years of work experience). The next step is the practical test. If I can pass the practical test, I think there will be a little more plus to it.

Our president is a bundle of positive ideas.

–What are you proud of about working here?

My mentor, who I have known since I was in my 20s, taught me the three conditions to be a successful person. He told me to be cheerful, honest, and able to think positively, and to be a person who likes to learn. When I applied this to our president, I realized that he is just like that. He is a man of positive ideas (laughs). (Laughs). I thought, “Wow, here is a successful person (who my mentor taught me about). I was very much thinking about the company’s internal structure. My husband also said that he was grateful for the good company, and I wanted to convey that point out loud.

So I would like more people to know about this company and to experience the world of IKEUCHI ORGANIC and get a sense of comfort.

Interview January 2016
Interview and text by Mutaguchi, Kamio
Photographer/ Yuji Kimura (Kimura Photo Office)