September 2010 Vol.20

WALLETS, PURSES & HANDBAGSWALLETS, PURSES & HANDBAGS
SM A L L M AY BE , BU T T HE Q UA LIT Y IS U NQ U E S T IO N A BL E

Bags - and wallets, purses andthe like come in all shapes
and sizes. The materials fromwhich they are made varies
greatly depending on where you are in theworld, locally available materials oftentimes
dominating but one material above all elseis available the world over - leather.
Used by humans for centuries, leather will
never go out of fashion and will always bethere or thereabouts in as far as class andquality go. Japan, of course is no different
to the rest of the world in as far as such
attitudes towards leather go, and today theleather industry in the Land of the Rising
Sun is as prominent as it has ever been; theproducts manufactured using leather at thevery top of the pile be that viewed from afashion or a quality perspective.
Some of Japan’s very best items producedin leather include wallets, purses, handbags
and clutch bags - with many more carrycases in a range of designs thrown in forgood measure.
Many of Japan’s leading leather bag, walletand purse manufacturers are based in theNortheast of Tokyo in the area between
Ueno and Asakusa; home of the famed
Senso-ji Temple, and many of these bag,wallet, and purse brands have been aroundfor decades – some for over a century.
Most specialize in one or two areas andoffer their high quality products all overthe country in department stores and top
range stores. Colors, sizes and designs
across the spectrum can be viewed andpurchased online or in-person at many ofthe locations in which they are offered.
Purchases can always be made in theknowledge that workmanship is second
to none; the Japanese being amongst
the worlds most demanding and attentiveof customers.
To see what styles are big this year in thewallet / purse department look around, findthe obvious fasionista and see what they
are using. Observation of bags being used
is of course easier than that of cash / card
holders and Japan’s female population arealways at the forefront of bag and purse

fashion - in Asia and arguably the world
making it easy to spot what is in, what’s
not and what’s on its way out. Clutch bags
though are always a safe bet, especially for
those heading out after dark. Traditional
shoulder bags never go out, even if thestraps alternate between the short and thelong, but many designs have grown in thevolume they can hold in recent years, yet,regardless of the style and size you areafter, leather as the material the productin question is made, and the need forattention to detail paid in Japan produced
pieces will never go out! Guaranteed.

Yutaka Sakai, the president of BINOH (www.
binoh.co.jp), is a gentleman immensely

Bag Liore

CÉLENCEE

INDEN-YAKIYOKAWAB

ÉLENCEE’s collection is aninnovative lineup of products
put together by combining real premium leather -- such as crocodile,
python, and lizard with nylonand bovine leather. Their “VanillaCrocodile” (ivory-colored crocodile)line and “Denim Crocodile” (aunique navy-colored crocodile
leather piece) line-ups are very
popular, with many celebrities
plumping for their work.

CNDEN-YA, first inaugurated in
1582 is a venerable establishmentthat offers perfection in the traditional
craftwork of “inden” – soft, lightdeerskin leather decorated withlacquer -- to this very day. All of theirmerchandise, Japanese hand-madeproducts by craftsmen, are traditional
products designated by the Minister ofEconomy, Trade and Industry.
One of the pleasures of seeing andusing these products is the color andtextural changes you will see comeinto play over the course of time.
The longer you use them, the clearer
the lacquer will become, closer to its
original color, while the deerskin will
become more supple and soft.
The most popular patterns are
Japanese classic designs of dragonflies, wave crest patterns and tortoiseshells. These were created using aJapanese sense of natural beauty,
all linked to the beautiful nature andseasons of Japan. Classical designs
with an accent of modern style added
to them are also a hit. They also haveplenty of small products which makefor perfect souvenirs.

IKag Liore, a bag and leather
goods shop, was establishedin 1993 by the mother company“WATA-ICHI” with traditional values
and modern marketing techniques.
The name of the store comes fromthe English word “Bag” and theItalian word “Liore,” which stands for“radiance, glitter, hope.” Bag Liore is
the original brand and is especiallyknown for leather goods using reptile
leather such as crocodile, and python
as well as others.
Their basic brand concepts are:• Cutting, Mode design and use ofhigh-quality materials.
• Balance between price & quality• Pursuing the best possible
Craftsmanship.
• Proposing lifestyles.
• Love our Japanese technique –Made in Japan.
The modern construction offered by
Bag Liore matches the stylish town
scenery of Jiyugaoka, and once
inside, the hospitality of the shop
staff and the relaxing and spacious
floor area will make your shopping
expedition even more enjoyable.

The whole process, from the development of new materials throughthe tanning and manufacturing,takes place in Japan, whilematerials and even small parts likeclasps and fasteners are all original
products.
CÉLENCEE also repairs goods fora top European brand, and alsooffers free bag cleaning, and thebags produced by CÉLENCEE will
enrich your soul from the moment
you pick them up and carry them.
We hope you find the bag of yourdreams that will bring out theindividuality in yourself.

IYOKAWA was founded 50 years
ago in downtown Tokyo close toAzumabashi Bridge and the Sumida River.
This long-established handbag company
takes pride in taking care in every processfrom start to finish as is required to put
together a product (from design andplanning through manufacturing) and all iscarried out at their own workshop in order toconfirm the ‘fully made-in-Japan’ end item.
Their bags are functional and aestheticallypleasing, and are created from carefully
selected materials with tradition and skills
cultivated throughout the history of thecompany. Crafted by expert artisans, butwith a new approach, their products often
appear in popular fashion magazines.
KIYOKAWA produces two different lines.
The “chrim” brand line-up features goods
with a natural style using delicate colors inharmony with nature, with the “handmadetouch” of this leather bag manufacturer
very evident. Using high-quality materials,
put together by both experts and younger
craftsmen to bring out the mixed taste of
the two, the “azzuni” brand line-up pursues
perfection in texture and functionality.
Both brands offer goods for both men andwomen.

September 2010 Vol.20

WALLETS, PURSES & HANDBAGS
proud of the wonderful range he produces,and rightly so.
Crocodile, lizard and other reptilian leather
form the backbone of BINOH’s collectionthat includes bags large and small in ahuge range of styles, shades and colors.
Purses and wallets too can be, and are
produced from such leather and arealways popular investments for thoselooking for a little class.

the edge of each piece, and in particularsmaller items, is inspected , a hard-wearing
form of sealant unique to Japan.
Most items are produced from creatures– crocodiles, pythons, other snakes anda variety of lizards and ‘monitors’ native
to South East Asia, imported into Japan
where they are treated and processed.
fall under* Some items soldthein Japanjurisdiction of“Convention on InFrom large black croter national Trade incodile
leatherbags
THE RANGE PRODUCED BY
Endangered Species
capable of sufficing for an
BINOH ALL DEMONSTRATE AN
of Wild Fauna andovernight trip, or as part
IMMENSE AMOOUT OF CARE
Flora(CITES)”.
of an overseas vacation
baggage collection (seeAND ATTENTION EXEMPLIFIED
If a tourist buys items* note below) to clutch
BY THE SEALING PROCESS
under CITES to bringbags more at home in thethem back to their own
EVIDENTINEACHPIECE,hands of a lady on a nightor another country, it isWHICH
ISUNIQUE
TOJAPANat the opera, humanity’snecessary to obtain apreference to recycle
CITES export permit
from time immemorial isissued by The Ministry
only reinforced in theseof Economy Trade and Industry(METI).
interesting pieces still being sold today.
Japan Leather and Leather Goods
Throughout the range produced byIndustries Association
BINOH, the delicate patterns of thewww.jlia.or.jp
scales, some lifting slightly when touched
Writer: Mark Buckton
all demonstrate an immense amount of
Photographs: Official BINOH &care and attention in the manufacturing
Christopher Jueprocess. This is magnified many times
over when the ‘sealing’ process evident at

Yutaka Sakai - the president of BINOH.

Le Prairies GINZA

mic

Squeeze

ZURRON BLVD

L

ic is a private brand launched
in 1978 by a small leather
goods producer, inaugurated in
1961. Every year they produce
more than four thousand different
types of small leather goods, butspecialize in leather purses – 100percent original productions fromthe very first design through tothe end of the sewing process.
Purses being their specialty, they
put a great deal of thought intofunctionality as an item for daily
use when they plan products.
Having been in the business for along time, mic has the experienceand technique capability to tailor
to customer’s wishes and toelaborate on what they produce.
They also have an immense wealthof knowledge on leather materials
and have connections to manydifferent areas from which they canpurchase a variety of materials. All
this makes it possible for mic toproduce the finest, and detailed,easy-to-use purses you willfind anywhere.

ll staff at Squeeze are expert handbag
craftsmen. At one end of the store is
an atelier in which these artisans create
each product using domestic Japanesematerials. All of the products – from thewomen’s clutch bags to small leather
goods – are self-manufactured and 100%
“Made in Japan,” which is why these highquality, stylish creations can be purchased
at such moderate prices.

AA

e Prairies GINZA uses only thefinest and best leather carefully
selected from sources around theworld with their strict quality standards.
“Tradition and refinement,” are theircorporate policy. Inside the store theatmosphere is like that of a museum.
Their products range from items with avery basic design to highly crafted work.
The “Kakutaku” lineup, which uses rare
and wonderfully high-quality natural
materials such as lizard and elephantleather from all over the world sewn byveteran Japanese craftsmen, and the“Seamless” lineup, which hides sticheson the product surface, are just two of
their many original products.
Fashionable leather-lovers are the main
customers to shop here, and offera monogram service for those whopurchase pieces.
Men and women alike can choose froma wide variety of bags, purses andsmall goods. Their products are madeof cordovan, a tough but supple andvery rare leather of horse hind; one of
the most popular forms of merchandise
they offer.

MThe designs are simple, with greatemphasis on being lightweight as well as
in their usability, but with a playful touch
such as embossed gilt, and puncheddecorations.
You can also choose from the manydifferent leather materials they have instock, colors and patterns to suit your own
taste, and even order a custom-made bag
just for yourself. They can also turn scarvesand obi into handbags and can fix or repair
existing bags and faults too.
The store itself is located in an area worth
visiting for sightseeing purposes for thosein Tokyo for a limited period -- close to the
Ryogoku Kokugikan, Edo-Tokyo Museum
and Tokyo Sky Tree.

clothing and accessories store
boasting a sophisticated andstylish lineup of handbags, small goods,and clothing items. The colorful items
on display are wonderful even just tobrowse through, and as new products
arrive every two weeks, you may findsomething you might would like topurchase, even on repeat visits but ouradvice would be to buy it on the spotbecause all items sold here are one-offs.
Many of the products are themselves
original goods with unique and beautiful
designs, including handbags decoratedusing traditional Japanese techniquessuch as “makie,” a pattern drawn inlacquer with sprinkled gold or silver
powder and with a lacquer coating,and “yuzen dye” on leather. These area collaboration of cutting-edge fashions
and traditional industrial artwork.
Many of our clients are the morefashionable, discerning women in theirfifties, but a lot of foreign visitors alsocome to the store. The goods here
will satisfy customers and help themunderstand that bags are an integral partof their fashion outlook and we can help
them in obtaining the very best the city
has to offer.