Products Cherished by the Fashionable, Then and Now

Maruwakaya is a production collective led by Hirotoshi Maruwaka. They have consistently created unique and innovative items that honor Japanese tradition, such as iPhone cases using "Inden," a craft involving dyeing deerskin and decorating it with lacquer; ceramics by Kutani, a traditional craft of Ishikawa Prefecture, in collaboration with globally acclaimed product designer Jaime Hayon; and kokeshi dolls inspired by the three Koshino sisters.





The latest production is a series of bags co-created with two companies based in Tokyo's East: Yoshida & Co., a long-established bag manufacturer founded in 1935 that is committed to Japanese craftsmanship with the motto "one stitch, one soul," and Maekawa Inden, an Inden specialty store in Asakusa that has expressed tradition and playfulness for three generations.

The products, inspired by everyday items long cherished by the Japanese people, come in three types: tote bags, backpacks, and a set of three pouches. The tote bag draws inspiration from the "gassho-bukuro" drawstring pouch, loved by the fashionable of the Meiji era. The backpack is inspired by the "seoi-ko," a carrier essential for transporting large loads. The pouches are based on the "ju-bako" tiered boxes, familiar from Osechi New Year's cuisine. Crafted with Yoshida & Co.'s reliable techniques, each item comes with a special tag from Maekawa Inden. These are truly products that embody the skills passed down through generations of Japanese artisans.

Furthermore, the details, which ingeniously adapt the wisdom of past generations into modern functionality, are not to be missed. For example, the backpack's exterior canvas fabric is water-repellent, and it features an internal pocket specifically for laptop computers. The pouches are designed for efficient organization of PC accessories such as cords and USB drives.





Perhaps the items we now know as traditional Japanese crafts were once cutting-edge products and avant-garde fashion. Crafted from limited materials on an island nation, they were designed to be highly practical and stylish. In a way, the products produced by Maruwakaya achieve the same, albeit in a different era.

These products are scheduled to go on sale starting in May on Maruwakaya's official online shop. They will also be available for pre-sale at the "Monozukuri x Monogatari: Nihon no Te-shigoto Ten" (Craftsmanship x Story: Japanese Handcraft Exhibition) held at Isetan Shinjuku Store from Wednesday, April 4th to Monday, April 9th.



Maruwakaya
Tel. 03-3865-7801
http://maru-waka.com/

Asakusa Maekawa Inden
http://www.maekawa-inden.co.jp/

Yoshida & Co.
http://www.yoshidakaban.com/top.html