This under the radar label that is from and made in Japan is as elusive as the designer Shinichi Hasegawa eschewing interviews.

Prefer to showcase his range of clothing  instead that are made from vintage kimono fabrics.

These fabrics are either silk or rayon. 

As silk is cooling , luxurious handfeel and expensive compared to cupro that is smoother but of a friendlier pricing.

These two fabric options that are offered for the clients are evident in terms of the handfeel and pricing once its stock in the exclusive retailers space. 


Hence, I would like to highlight 3 key items here.

“Jakuchu Ito” Off White Short Sleeve Shirt

This shirt is a painting from renowned Jakuchu Ito who lived in the 1860s. This was the end of the EDO period. His paintings often depict traditional Japanese life , particularly fowls and birds. 

Dyed with a traditional technique called Kyo-Yuzen by the artisans of OKAJU, the Yu-zen workshop has been around for over 100 years.

*Note: Kyo-Yuzen is a dyeing-technique that originated in the middle of the Edo period, towards the end of the 17th century. The dye is directly applied to the fabric. The designs often depict nature and animals of the different seasons with vivid and vibrant colours.

NIPOALOHA’s original rayon replicates the vintage Hawaiian shirt woven in Shizuoka Hamamatsu, famous for weaving workshops.

The traditional straight body silhouette Hawaiian shirt, modernised with medium length sleeves.

The Hundred Shellfish by Jakuchu Ito

Another painting by eminent painter Jakuchu Ito, he chose the molluscs instead for this gorgeous silk shirt in cerulean.

Applying the same traditional technique called Kyo-Yuzen by the artisans of OKAJU, the Yu-zen workshop has been around for over 100 years.

The dye is directly applied to the fabric. The designs often depict nature and animals of the different seasons with vivid and vibrant colours.

Shinzaburo Nakanishi “Cranes in the Bamboo Forest” Shorts

Shinzaburo Nakanishi’s painting of cranes in a bamboo forest are the focal points of this silk shorts in vermillion. 

With an elastic waistband and drawstring , this comfortable yet breezy lounge shorts is the epitome of cool.

You can dress up or down with these shorts when one is out and about running errands or having a sumptuous meal with a loved one.


Nipoaloha is an enigma to the masses but when it comes to producing designs that are chic and trendy , nothing else out there comes close to it.

Hence, gleaning information from this elusive label from Japan is scarce as to how the collection is featured online. 

Want a piece of history that dates back to the end of the Edo period and stand out in the crowd , grab that item of clothing from Nipoaloha pronto!