KYOTO, Japan, Nov 15 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) announced that its proprietary synthetic opal material, “Kyoto Opal,” is being utilized in a textile for the first time. As part of the Hashiru Nippon-Ichi, a program promoting Japanese souvenirs, the “Kyoto Playful Opal Color Hand-Printed Scarf” was selected for the “Old Capitals: Kyoto and Nara” project. The program is developed by the JR-West Group and Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, a 300-year old company manufacturing ramie cloth in Nara Prefecture. The new scarf was launched last month and will be available until late-February on the Sanyo Shinkansen train and “JAPANSQUARE,” an online store delivering Japan-made items around the world. The opal material sparkles in seven colors depending on the angle, with the white and pink base appearing in different lights. The new scarf integrates Kyocera’s fine ceramic technology with Japanese traditional dyeing techniques to provide a special souvenir for visitors to Japan.

The concept of the “Kyoto Playful Opal Color Hand-Printed” scarf was inspired by Kyoto’s traditional culture of dressing in layered kimonos to enjoy the contrast of colors. The scarf is dyed white and pale pink tones to suggest winter snow and budding cherry blossoms with resplendent opal accents in a variety of rich and subtle hues. The powdered Kyoto Opal is blended with the fabric dye to enable printing the opal directly on the fabric. The dyeing itself is performed one piece at a time by artisans from Some Komori in Kyoto.

About Kyoto Opal

“Kyoto Opal” is a term of endearment for the synthetic opal material developed by Kyocera in Kyoto, Japan. Seeming identical to naturally occurring opal, Kyoto Opal overcomes the gem’s inherent brittleness, which tends to split and crack, enabling the material to be cut into diverse shapes. It can be used in a wide variety of applications providing rich and subtle hues and tints with special coloring techniques. Kyocera’s proprietary technology features a unique aesthetic quality that cannot be duplicated by other molded resin-based products.

Kyocera has been providing opal gemstones worldwide since 1992, launching the “Kyoto Opal” brand in Japan in 2008 as a unique decorative material. Since then, it has been utilized in a growing range of products available in Japan and other markets, including Casio’s SHEEN lineup*.

A watch winder case with lacquer and Kyoto Opal by INOUE Inc, a specialized manufacturer of Buddhist altars, will be displayed at the exhibition held by Japan Creative Centre under the theme of “The Encounter of Japan’s Traditional Crafts and Design” in Singapore from November 17-19. Designed by Kenji Omachi, a top lacquer work artist from Kyoto, the glossy lacquer piece with opal’s unique subtle hues add a touch of elegance befitting a fine watch case.

* “SHEEN” is a registered trademark of Casio Computer Co., Ltd.

To purchase Kyoto Playful Opal Color Hand-Printed Scarf on JAPANSQUARE, please visit:
http://www.japansquare.com/product.asp?shocd=W14324

About KYOCERA

Kyocera Corporation (NYSE:KYO)(TOKYO:6971) (http://global.kyocera.com/), the parent and global headquarters of the Kyocera Group, was founded in 1959 as a producer of fine ceramics (also known as “advanced ceramics”). By combining these engineered materials with metals and integrating them with other technologies, Kyocera has become a leading supplier of electronic components, printers, copiers, solar power generating systems, mobile phones, semiconductor packages, cutting tools and industrial ceramics. During the year ended March 31, 2016, the company’s net sales totaled 1.48 trillion yen (approx. USD13.1 billion). Kyocera appears on the 2014 and 2015 listings of the “Top 100 Global Innovators” by Thomson Reuters, and is ranked #531 on Forbes magazine’s 2016 “Global 2000” listing of the world’s largest publicly traded companies.

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