In mid-April, when the cherry blossoms around Inokashira Park in Tokyo had mostly turned to green, I made my way to Kichijoji Station, braving the chilly, blustery spring wind.
This time, we had the pleasure of interviewing ookamigocco, an artist known for their charming handmade plush creations. We spoke about their creative philosophy, how they first connected with REN, and the items they currently use and love.
These lovingly crafted animals are full of personality, each with its own expressive charm.
Towering stacks of picture books, a flash of lightning on the wall, and a bird mobile gently spinning overhead— the home we were kindly invited into was brimming with the colors, shapes, and textures that reflect the unique tastes of the ookamigocco family.
Everywhere we looked, something caught our eye, and before we knew it, we had strayed from the main topic, happily distracted by the delightful surroundings.
ookamigocco creates animal plushies with a signature style, including the whimsical makigurumi—a soft animal scarf worn around the neck like a muffler.
Without using patterns, each piece is carefully hand-stitched, guided by the materials themselves. The resulting forms and expressive faces seem to gently reflect ookami’s warm gaze toward animals.
“They’re adorable because they don’t look like they’re posing,” says REN buyer Akimoto with a smile.
“I thought, this must be the kind of expression an animal only shows when it’s completely relaxed— a look that only someone who’s truly shared a life with them could capture. I was amazed when I first saw the photos, but I was even more stunned when ookami herself walked into the store wearing a makigurumi.
She looked so natural, like she was just out for a walk and happened to bring it along,” Akimoto from REN recalls with a laugh.
The makigurumi was never intended for sale—it all began simply because ookami wanted one for herself. In the days following the Great East Japan Earthquake, when feelings of unease grew stronger while spending time alone at home, she found comfort in the soft, fluffy animals that quietly stayed by her side.
“As I was gathering emergency essentials just in case I needed to go to an evacuation center, I found myself instinctively reaching for a plush toy. I hesitated for a moment—wondering if, in my twenties, bringing a stuffed animal might seem a little out of place. But then it hit me: ‘If it’s a makigurumi, I can just wear it and pretend it’s fashion!’
The simple act of holding or stroking something soft like that brought me so much comfort.
It was around that time I started to think—maybe these creations could help others who are going through something similar,” ookami says.
A plush companion you can take with you—even as an adult
The connection between ookami and REN began in 2023, when she participated in a POP UP SHOP at REN’s Kuramae store.
At the time, she was going through both physical and emotional changes, and struggling with her creative process.
“When Akimoto from REN first reached out to me, I have to admit—I was feeling pretty anxious about everything. I felt more uncertain than ready,” she reflects honestly.
“Up until then, I had always worked with faux fur. But I found out I had a chemical fiber allergy, and even though I was a vegetarian, during pregnancy I suddenly started craving meat.
All of these changes left me feeling confused. So when I was invited to do a POP UP at a store that specializes in leather bags, I honestly felt afraid—like I might be compromising my own values. But when I actually visited the shop and met Akimoto in person, I was completely drawn to her warmth.
I could really sense how sincerely everyone at REN approaches leather, and it made me think, ‘If it’s with her, I can move forward,’” ookami says.
“It makes me so happy to hear her say that. I really felt that ookami resonated deeply with our approach to craftsmanship—perhaps in part because of our shared connection to leather.
It seemed clear to me that she has a true love for natural materials.
She put so much thought not only into REN, but also into our customers, and I was genuinely grateful for the passion she brought to the collaboration,” says Akimoto from REN.
“Looking back, I realize how much it meant to feel like I could reach out to REN whenever I needed support.
In fact, using their real leather scraps in my creations had a big impact on me—I now find myself working with real fur and leather, and it feels like I’ve finally arrived at the kind of pieces I had always wanted to make.
The makigurumi was originally shaped like a scarf so it could be worn, but the bag charms I made for the POP UP kept the plush form, which meant even adults could carry them proudly just as they are. That felt like a small dream come true,” ookami says with a smile.
The ookamigocco POP UP SHOP will return for the first time in nearly two years, running from May 23 to June 15, 2025, at our Kuramae and Kagurazaka stores.
Perfect for any occasion and any setting
The REN item ookami currently uses is the mini shopper in black—known for its distinctive paper bag-like shape.
One side of the bag is playfully adorned with a wolf bag charm created for the previous POP UP, along with illustrations drawn by a fellow artist friend.
Seeing how it has evolved into a bag that feels so uniquely ookami made us genuinely happy.
“I usually tend to go for bold, colorful bags, so this time I chose something different—a compact black one that goes well with any style.
The illustrations were done with acrylic paint, so they’re gradually wearing off, but I actually like that about it.
The other side is still blank, so depending on where I am, I turn that side forward. It even came in handy for my son’s Shichi-Go-San celebration.
At first glance it looks quite chic, but the knotted handles and stitching give it a casual touch—it’s such a stylish piece,” ookami says.
One of the signature features of the mini shopper is the snap buttons on both sides, which allow the gussets to be opened or closed.
Despite its compact appearance, it holds more than you’d expect—ookami even uses it to carry two bottles of water.
Inside, the bag is equipped with two open pockets, perfect for keeping your essentials organized.
“Some bags have interior pockets that are divided up so specifically, it feels like they’re telling you exactly where to put everything.
But I’m the type who likes to just toss things in as I go, so I really appreciate that the mini shopper leaves room for flexibility.
I was surprised at how deep the pockets are—you can easily drop in a smartphone. I even find myself slipping in my son’s origami from time to time,” ookami says with a laugh.
Signs of life make it even more beloved.
When we asked ookami about how the leather feels, she said, “It was already soft from the beginning—like it had been well-loved for years.” As we talked, she suddenly noticed a small scratch on the surface of her bag.
“That scratch probably came from a scuffle the pig got into while it was still alive,” explains Akimoto from REN.
“Marks like these, along with slight color variations, are a natural part of the material and speak to its authenticity.
We embrace each one as a unique feature and finish every piece in a way that lets its character shine through.
The marks won't disappear, but over time the leather develops a beautiful sheen and becomes more familiar with use.
We hope people will enjoy that transformation as part of the journey.”
The leather used for the mini shopper is REN’s original pigskin called “HALLIE,” a material we’ve cherished since the brand was founded.
While pigskin typically has more natural scratches and color variation than other leathers—and is often used as a lining material—it is incredibly lightweight and densely structured.
Despite its thinness, it’s strong, breathable, and has a supple, fabric-like flexibility that sets it apart.
The mini shopper’s slim handles may stretch slightly with use, but we hope you’ll enjoy the soft, familiar feel of HALLIE as you take it with you day by day.
POP UP SHOP “ookamigocco” at Kuramae & Kagurazaka Stores May 23 – June 15, 2025
We’re excited to announce that the POP UP SHOP will be returning for the first time in nearly two years.
May 23 (Fri) – June 1 (Sun) @ Kuramae Store
June 6 (Fri) – June 15 (Sun) @ Kagurazaka Store
-PROFILE-
ookamigocco
The name ookamigocco comes from the word “ookami” (wolf), symbolizing independence and solitude, and “gokko”, a Japanese word for pretend play often associated with children.
It reflects a desire to hold onto a playful spirit and to live alongside plush animals—even as an adult.
Since 2004, ookami has been creating her signature makigurumi scarves, and in recent years, her creative activities have expanded to include the puppet picture book “Peek-a-Boo”, as well as solo and group exhibitions both in Japan and abroad.
Instagram：https://www.instagram.com/ookamigocco/
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