Carry the Traditional Charm Stylishly. A Sweet, One and Only “Sangwa”

The tightly knotted pampas grass in Okinawa has long been looked up as a charm to cast away bad spirits, and the locals call this “Sangwa”. Smaller Sangwa are placed on containers of food when taking them home from somewhere, to prevent “bad things” from spoiling the food. Bigger Sangwa are said to have protected homes and coffins. This traditional Sangwa has been getting popular lately as a local souvenir from Okinawa.



The Sangwa introduced in this article are made by FUJISAN FACTORY, a made-to-order clothing specialist operated by two women and a man. The made-to-order clothing are created all according to the preferences of the customers, starting from the fabric, buttons, the shape of the collar, length of the sleeves and more, so that they turn out to meet the specific ideas of the customers. The articles are all made one by one upon order, and they really put their hearts into the creation. When you receive your order and hold it in your hand for the first time, you’ll experience a wonderful, heartwarming feeling.



The shop’s representative, Tomoko Higa, says she enjoyed sewing various little items like drawstring pouches and dolls since she was in elementary school. After graduating from college, she went on to study fashion at a vocational school. She acquired knowledge and skills that were difficult to learn studying on her own, and after she graduated, she worked at clothing shops in Naha and at a shirt factory and honed her skills. Then in 2011, she opened her shop, FUJISAN FACTORY near the Sakurazaka Theater in Naha.



“Crafting things is a slow and steady process. You know that feeling when you go mountain climbing, and you finally reach the peak? That sense of accomplishment is similar to working on an article of clothing, and so I decided to take the name of Japan’s famous mountain, Fuji, and added it to the name of my shop.”





The Sangwa made by FUJISAN FACTORY come in two varieties. The smaller ones are made with Japanese Washi paper and leather, and the bigger ones are made with denim and hemp. The smaller Sangwa are great to attach on to your keys, phone, or bag, and the bigger ones are recommended as key chains.




 

These Sangwa are made with pieces of fabric leftover from making clothing, bags, and small items, and so there’s no two that are the same, with different designs on each one. The Sangwa are so charming that you’ll want to pick up a few in different colors. The smaller ones are decorated with beads and a little bell that rings sweetly every time it moves. The bigger Sangwa are popular with men and their charm increases over time and use.

I hope you’ll find your favorite Sangwa from the many that they offer.

 

FUJISAN FACTORY STORE
Address: 3-2-33 Makishi, Naha City, Okinawa
Telephone: 098-866-1203
Hours: 10:00 to 17:00
Closed: Sunday & Holidays (Irregular Saturdays)


Merchandise Also Available at:
Dear Okinawa,
Address: 2F Connecting Terminal at Naha Airport, 150 Kagamizu, Naha City, Okinawa
Hours: 7:00 to 20:30
Inquiries: staff@dearokinawa.com
Website: https://dearokinawa.com/  



Okinawa CLIP photo writer, Sachiko