KYOTO -- Being male and knitting for a living has earned Mitsuharu Hirose the reputation of being somewhat "strange." Parading about on television in women's knit tops and makeup probably played a part as well. But that doesn't needle Hirose one little bit.

Even the name-calling is fine. Great names like the "Prince of the Knitting World" and rather less-than-accurate ones like "Tamasaburo," after the famous kabuki actor who specialized in female roles, they all fit well into the 46-year-old designer's plans.

"If people develop any interest in knitting because of me," said Hirose during a recent visit to Kyoto, "I don't mind the names."