＜Kyoto New Arrival＞Yuzen Pochette ＜Red＞

Kyoto Shinso Pochette (Red). Approx. 20cm high x 17cm wide x 5cm deep, approx. 160g. Body: Synthetic leather, cowhide leather, shoulder strap: Synthetic leather. Made in Japan. *Opening: Zippered, Exterior: 2 zipper pockets, Shoulder strap cannot be removed (length cannot be adjusted). Lightweight and easy to carry, with a design featuring cherry blossoms in Kyo-Yuzen processing. This pochette is carefully made at Kyoto's bag workshop, Kyoto Shinso. Functionality in response to the voices of women in Kyoto Prefecture, with a touch of tradition in the Kyo-Yuzen cherry blossom pattern. When you think of genuine leather bags, you might first think of Italy, the home of these bags, but in fact, there are bag craftsmen in Japan who have the skills to rival those of Italian artisans.
Located in Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto Shinso is a workshop that makes bags the old-fashioned way. The workshop, which has a single floor and overlooks all the processes, is filled with the sounds of handcraft, such as the rhythmic sounds of sewing machines and the sounds of hammers attaching metal fittings to bags.
Representative Satoshi Ideno is a veteran bag craftsman with 30 years of experience. When he first opened his workshop, he mainly made formal bags for Japanese clothing and bags made from kimono fabric, due to the location of Kyoto, which has many kimono merchants, but as times have changed, he has started making bags from a variety of materials, including nylon and canvas.
Before long, the desire to create bags that were durable and could be used for a long time grew stronger, and about 10 years ago, the company began focusing on making bags for everyday use.
"Instead of producing bags in a large factory, we can make bags in this workshop, where we can keep a close eye on the process from sewing to finishing," he says.
For example, pocket openings and parts supporting metal fittings are prone to fraying, so they are reinforced by changing the thickness of thread and the sewing method, and the careful attention to detail that comes with hand-made work is incorporated everywhere. Furthermore, by using the perfect amount of pressure gained from years of experience, the sewing machine prevents uneven stitching and shrinkage. In this way, a beautiful finish is pursued with time and effort.
This pochette incorporates Kyo-Yuzen, a traditional craft that has been around since the Edo period. Using the kata-yuzen technique, skilled craftsmen carefully consider the hardness of the glue when placing the pattern, and the process of applying it so that it does not slip is impressive, making it a product that truly brings together Kyoto's traditional crafts and the skills of bag makers.
Ideno's bags are made with the feelings of the women who will use them in mind. They are designed to be both stylish and functional, and are simple enough to be used anywhere and with any outfit, but the cherry blossom pattern is a subtle accent, giving a glimpse of high-quality playfulness. Some users say that they are so easy to use that they end up carrying them every day.
One of the joys of this pouch is that the more you use it, the more it becomes familiar to you and the more refined its texture becomes. I want to enjoy the charm of a "real" item that I can have a long-term relationship with to my heart's content.