Why Wool Matters

OUR VISION

We want New Zealand wool to become the first and most natural choice for winter in Japan.

Japan is known for its four seasons, and winter can be especially cold. In the past, warmth came from layers — thick padded hanten worn over cotton and hemp garments.

Today, convenience and modern fabrics have changed how people dress. Featherlight down and synthetic fibres such as acrylic have replaced traditional layering. These inventions represent what we now call fast fashion.

Yet humans have relied on natural fibres since the beginning of time. The ancient Greeks and Romans kept sheep ten thousand years ago. These natural gifts have always protected us from the cold. In cold-climate countries such as Norway, Iceland and New Zealand, wool remains an everyday essential.

Our vision is to help re-create a culture in Japan that once again values wool and other natural materials — clothing that connects people with nature, comfort, and care.

ABOUT OUR PRODUCTS

All North South Stewart products are designed and made in New Zealand from natural materials — fine merino wool, soft possum fibre, and mulberry silk. Together they create a yarn that’s soft, dense, and warmer than cashmere.

We carefully select colours and designs suited to Japan’s winter climate, where cold houses and long commutes mean layering is still essential. Our pieces move easily from outdoors to indoors — light enough to wear all day, warm enough to make a difference.

Located in Osaka, we bring these New Zealand-made accessories directly to you — no international shipping, customs fees, or import duty. Each year, we open for the season in late September or early October with a small, carefully chosen collection.

A LONG HISTORY WITH SHEEP

Sheep have been part of New Zealand life for over 200 years. Generations of farmers have cared for the land and their animals, producing some of the world’s finest wool.

All the products in our store are made from New Zealand wool — from mixed-breed to merino, and from unique blends of merino, possum, and silk. This special combination creates a lightweight, luxuriously warm fibre found only in New Zealand.

NORTH SOUTH STEWART

Behind North South Stewart are Jacqui and Takeshi Miyabayashi, married for over twenty-five years and living just south of Osaka. Jacqui is from Auckland, New Zealand. We love gardening (come see our garden!), swimming, and golf — we spend a lot of time outdoors.

But we also know the feeling of being cold inside Japanese homes, which is why we surround ourselves with wool — in clothing, furnishings, and bedding.

We love New Zealand. And we love wool.

ビジョン

冬にはニュージーランドのウールが真っ先かつ当然の選択になってほしいと思います。日本には広く知られているように四季がありますが、そのうちの一つはとても寒いものです。昔の日本では、暖かさを確保するために衣服を重ね着していました。冬には、天然の綿や麻の上に重ねて厚手のもこもこした半纏を着ていました。便利で快適、そしてよりカジュアルな着こなしをするため、現代の人々は、面倒なレイヤーを最小限にするようになっています。フェザーライトダウンやアクリルなどの合成繊維は現代の発明であり、「ファストファッション」を象徴しています。人類は石器時代から天然繊維を使用してきました。古代ギリシャ人やローマ人による羊の飼育は、1万年前の人類の始まりにまでさかのぼります。これらの自然からの贈り物は、常に寒さから身を守るために使用されてきました。ノルウェーやニュージーランドなどの寒冷地では、今でもウールが衣服に使われています。私たちは、日本に今一度、ウールや他の天然素材を好む文化を創造することをビジョンとしています。