Anything

Anything – Preserving the Spirit of MAEKAKE

Anything is Japan’s only specialty brand dedicated to MAEKAKE – the traditional work aprons of Japan. Founded in 2000, the company first began with simple kanji T-shirts, but a life-changing encounter with aging MAEKAKE craftsmen in Toyohashi, Aichi Prefecture – the last remaining production area – gave the brand a new mission: to keep this craft alive for future generations.

MAEKAKE has been worn in Japan since the Edo period by shopkeepers, sake brewers, and tradesmen. Woven from thick cotton on traditional shuttle looms, these aprons are built to protect the body, support the hips, and withstand the demands of daily work. Beyond their practicality, they have also carried shop names and symbols, serving as uniforms and advertisements, and representing pride in one’s craft.

In 2019, Anything established the Anything MAEKAKE Factory in Futagawa, Toyohashi, operating vintage Toyota, Suzuki, and Enshu shuttle looms – many over 100 years old. Here, they continue to weave aprons that are thick yet soft, true to tradition yet ready for modern life.

By choosing MAEKAKE, you’re not only wearing a piece of Japanese history, but also supporting the preservation of a craft that embodies resilience, community, and timeless design.