Thank you always for your warm support for Knitwin and our house brands.
On May 13, 2026, we experienced a deeply proud and monumental milestone. Our second-generation leader and current Chairman, Katsuhiro Nishiguchi, was awarded the “Order of the Rising Sun, Silver Rays” (Kyokujitsu Tanko-sho) by the Japanese government. This prestigious decoration recognizes his many years of dedication to the sock manufacturing industry and his outstanding contributions to industrial promotion.
This honor reflects more than just his personal achievements. It is a beautiful crystallization of Knitwin’s entire history—knitting each pair with deep care in Nara since 1950—and is shared with our dedicated craftspeople, partner manufacturers, and above all, our wonderful customers who love our socks.
On this special occasion, we would like to reflect on the craftsmanship carved out by three generations of leaders since 1950, and share our vision as we continue to move toward the future.
The presentation ceremony for the Spring 2026 Decorations by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry
Three Generations, Three Destinies: Moving Together Under a Shared Theme
The history of Knitwin is a story of a baton being beautifully passed forward. Each generation faced entirely different challenges, but by fully realizing their specific missions, they successfully built the foundation for the next chapter.
In 1950, amidst the chaotic post-war period when clothing and basic goods were scarce, our founder, Katsuji Nishiguchi, established the factory. While his immediate mission was to reliably supply high-quality goods to a deprived society, he was also a visionary entrepreneur who poured immense passion into product development. His most legendary creation was the “Onsen Tabi” (traditional hot-spring split-toe socks). He keenly captured a hidden discomfort among guests at traditional Japanese inns (Ryokan), where slippers or wooden clogs frequently got mixed up with others. He designed the Onsen Tabi as a hygienic, comfortable amenity to keep feet clean and warm. This inventive spirit became the true origin of Knitwin’s creativity.
Entering the 2000s, the Japanese sock industry faced a severe crisis with the massive influx of low-cost, mass-produced imports from China. While many domestic factories closed down, our second-generation leader, Katsuhiro Nishiguchi, chose a completely different path: radical differentiation. Moving beyond conventional socks, he applied our technical expertise to produce compression supporters, five-toe socks, and expanded the “Onsen Tabi” into a massive, thriving business tailored to the modern hospitality and healthcare markets. By shifting sales channels and creating unique value, he successfully protected our Japanese craftsmanship. This national decoration recognizes his lifetime of courage and innovative leadership that navigated through the industry’s toughest era.
As time moved on, global awareness turned away from mass production and mass consumption toward sustainability and authentic value. Taking the helm as the third-generation leader in 2023, my mission became fully blooming our accumulated expertise: building our own brands, opening direct factory stores, and expanding internationally to step away from relying solely on subcontracted manufacturing. Today, we proudly share our philosophy directly through our house brands—NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA, hakne, and memeri. We connect with customers at our direct stores in Kuramae (Tokyo) and Katsuragi (Nara), and showcase our creations at major international exhibitions in Paris, New York, and London to reach the global stage.
Though the challenges of each generation have been completely different, we stand here today because the previous leaders gave everything to pass the baton in its finest form. This prestigious decoration is proof of our beautifully connected history.
Chairman Katsuhiro Nishiguchi celebrated by his family at the ceremony venue
Our Purpose: “Changing Your Day Through Socks. Changing the Value of Socks.”
We do not manufacture simply to increase sales or scale our company. At our core, we always return to our ultimate purpose: “Changing your day through socks. Changing the value of socks.”
In a world overflowing with mass-produced items, we deliberately focus on essential, thoughtful craftsmanship. We select only high-quality natural materials—such as silk, wool, organic cotton, linen, eco-silk, and hemp cotton—and knit them using traditional, time-honored machinery like the 176-needle double cylinder machines. The moment you slip your feet into our socks, we want you to experience an undeniable quality that surprises you. Wearing a truly good pair of socks can uplift your mood and brighten your entire day. Our goal is to be that gentle switch that enriches your daily life.
Socks are too often treated as cheap, disposable items. We want to elevate their value into something that genuinely enriches your life. Furthermore, “changing the value” applies to the inside of our company as well. Through our business, we aim to raise the social value of sock manufacturing for our internal technical and manufacturing teams, as well as our dedicated partner suppliers. Ensuring that our artisans can take immense pride in their work and achieve a fulfilling lifestyle is our sole reason for creating things in this modern era.
The medal framed beautifully against our factory store, the heart of our craftsmanship and connection to you
Continuing Our Journey to the World Through House Brands and OEM
While we celebrate this wonderful honor, our journey never stops.
Knitwin will continue to offer its deeply refined technical expertise through our OEM services, collaborating with partner companies to create new values. Concurrently, we will sharpen the unique identities of our house brands—NISHIGUCHI KUTSUSHITA, hakne, and memeri—to seamlessly fit into the daily lives of customers worldwide.
With profound gratitude for our history, we will carry the pride of Japanese and Nara craftsmanship into the global arena.
Inheriting the passion and technical dedication passed down by our Chairman, we will continue to deliver socks that “change your day.” Thank you for being a part of the Knitwin family.