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Whilst carefully maintaining Japanese aesthetics, BAN conveys a feeling of craftsmanship through the use of linen.From spinning linen fiber to designing, weaving, distributing these linen items--and even running their own a store--BAN have total control over everything. Through this style of management BAN wish to bring the magic of linen to as many people as possible.
幡とは
～Fluttering with splendor in the gentle breeze～In harmony with nature, with unique designs & beautiful textures
The real meaning of the word BAN comes from the flag decorations, pataka in English, which hang down from temples. They were mainly used for ceremonies and festivals in the days of the Yamato Imperial Court. At that time they were made from valuable fabrics such as linen and silk; now BAN wishes to recreate the splendor and beauty of this in the form of items for your modern life. It's like a wonderful scene from the ancient Nara period of Japan: flags made of linen are in perfect harmony with their natural surroundings, and flutter against the blue sky. With these images in mind, the name BAN was chosen.
Painstakingly Hand-Woven Linen Cloth
In Nara Prefecture, in front of BAN's main office flows the Sahogawa River. It is an old river that starts in the town of Yagyu and passes Heijō-kyō, an ancient capital of Japan. This area was once greatly prosperous due to the traditional craft of Nara-Sarashi, hand-woven hemp cloth that is then bleached.
The Advantages of Linen
Moisture absorbing

Thanks to its rapid moisture-absorbing qualities, linen is perfect for everyday use items such as dish cloths.
Cooling

With excellent heat conducting and ventilation properties, linen is entirely suitable for a hot climate. Also, it's easy to clean, stands up well against washing and dries quickly--meaning cleanliness and durability go hand-in hand in this material.
Silky luster & crisp texture

Linen is a robust fiber that is also smooth and cool to the touch.

Ecological, natural fiber

Fast-growing linen doesn't need agricultural chemicals, which can be the causes of several kinds of allergies. It's therefore suitable for a wide range of everyday lifestyle items.
BAN Linen　The Differences Between Flax & Ramie

These days, irrespictive of the time of year, you are bound to see plenty of shops selling items made of linen, as it has now become an indispensible fabric for every day life. Furthermore, the kinds of linen now available has increased greatly. The use of both flax and ramie is central to BAN's range of wonderful linen products. In Japan, when the material of an everyday item is described as being "linen", it can only be flax or ramie; it will not be jute, hemp, etc. Amongst all of the linen available, these are the best fabrics and the softest to the touch, with excellent properties.

Color Fiber Moisture absoption/
ventilation		 Other
Flax White with light yellow tinge Short & fine Second only to ramie in terms of breathability/
ventilation		 Has a soft and supple texture
Ramie White & shiny like silk Long & thick Cannot be beaten as a natural fiber Resilient with a crisp texture
See All BAN Items HERE
Recommend linen items in various colors & designs
Stitch Table Runner Hana-Manyō Slippers Camellia Tapestry

Table runner decorated with soft curving line stitches. Comes in a variety of colors so you can select one for each season.

Linen slippers decorated with the flower patterns referred to in the most famous ancient Japanese book of poems. Especially designed to give you a soft, gentle feel.

Tapestry with elegant camellias drawn with a brush. A beautiful piece to accent your home.
Stitch Table Runner Hana-Manyō Slippers Camellia Tapestry
See All Accessories HERE
Recommended linen bags
Inden (Lacquered Print Deerskin) Ichimonnji Pattern Tote Bag Dot Pattern Tote Bag Stitch Bag

Tote bag made with Inden craftsmanship. Luxurious deerskin surface covered with lacquered print. The handles are cow hide. A bag that ages beautifully with use.

Tote bag with bold and unique dot pattern. Very handy for daily use as well.

Vivid bag that can also go well with casual wear. Designed with large opening and wide gusset. Just right for those shopping days.
Inden (Lacquered Print Deerskin) Ichimonnji Pattern Tote Bag Dot Pattern Tote Bag Stitch Bag
See All Bags HERE
Caring for Linen Items
Linen is a very durable, long-lasting material. After being used for sometime, wrinkles will appear and the fabric will lose its original stiffness, leaving a texture that is extremely smooth and soft to the touch.Furthermore, the water absorbency of linen is 4 times that of cotton, and 10 times that of silk. Also breathablity is 4 times that of both cotton and silk. All in all this makes it the one material you shouldn't live without in day-to-day life.
Linen is a durable and strong natural fiber that has been used in everyday life for centuries. As it is sure to see habitual usage, you'll have to know how to care for this natural material.
Washing

When hand-washing, gently knead the item and pinch in appropriate areas.
When using a washing machine, wash in luke-warm water (30℃-40℃) for a slightly shorter time than used for cotton items.
●Can be washed using commercially available laundry detergent. Avoid using brightening agents, as they will make the item lose color, hue, etc. Rinse thoroughly in water to make sure all of the washing detergent has been removed.
Drying Ironing Wrinkles

Pull out tightly in all 4 directions, adjust shape as necessary and then hang up to dry. Please avoid using a brush or similar tool on the item as this may cause the material to fluff.

Linen is a faster drying material than cotton making it perfect for everyday use. To make the effect of ironing all the more beautiful, we recommend ironing while the item is "semi-dry", in other words before it has completely dried.

As linen is a natural material, it does of course wrinkle. However, compared to cotton, the effect of these wrinkles exudes a more refined air with a particular charm, so please feel free to go ahead and try the wrinkled look..

See All Items HERE