About the product
["made in RYOGOKU" brand by Azumaya, which has a history of over 100 years]
The pass holders on sale are a new product in the "IKI (粋) HOKUSAI" series of "made in RYOGOKU", an original brand of Azumaya, a manufacturer and seller of small leather goods with a history of more than 100 years. This series features inkjet prints of famous paintings by Katsushika Hokusai, born in Sumida, Tokyo, where Azumaya is based, on the backs of leather wallets and other products.
[Craftsmanship that stands out even when you can't see it.]
Some people may think, "Is it just printing Ukiyo-e on leather?" If you look closely at the edges of the leather, you will see that they are folded back one by one and stitched. This edge treatment is called 'heri-gaeshi', which itself requires skill, but sewing the masterpiece without any misalignment with the heri-gaeshi folded over requires a high level of skill.
[Awarded various prizes in recognition of the craftsman's skills.]
The entire process of the IKI (粋) HOKUSAI series is carried out by a single craftsman who has been manufacturing small leather goods for many years. In recognition of its high technical skills, the company received the 'TASK Monozukuri Award 2017 Encouragement Prize' in the TASK Project, which aims to revitalise local industry in collaboration with the five wards of Taito-Ku (T), Arakawa-Ku (A), Adachi-Ku (A), Sumida-Ku (S) and Katsushika-Ku (K), all of which have thriving manufacturing industries. *The project is currently known as Tokyo TASK. (From 2020, the initiative will be implemented in four wards other than Sumida Ward).
The company was also selected as a 2020 Tokyo Business Design Award theme company for its 'leather goods manufacturing technology' with precision pattern matching and craftsmanship, and received an award of excellence in February 2021.
[The "made in RYOGOKU" brand]
The "made in RYOGOKU" brand is an original brand launched to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company's founding, to bring joy and smiles to everyone involved in the manufacturing process.
Leather products are made by many hands, from the people who tan the leather as raw material, to the people who cut the leather to suit the purpose, to the people who sew using fine techniques, and to the people who sell the products.
At "made in RYOGOKU", we carefully select high-quality materials so that our products can be used for as long as possible, and we set our prices so that a fair profit can be returned to the leather craftsmen. Our products are not inexpensive, but we only sell those that we can deliver with confidence.
[Pass holder with extensive functions].
The thin and simple pass (card) holder can hold a note folded in half in the middle pocket. At first glance, it looks like a simple pass holder, but in fact the back side of the "IKI (粋) HOKUSAI" series is full of attention to detail. This is a must-have item for those with such stylishness. Ukiyo-e is a popular art form not only in Japan but also abroad, so we recommend this as a gift for those interested in Japanese art.
Product detail
Body material: cowhide leather from the Monfrini Pellami tannery, a long-established Milanese tannery founded in 1898 / shiny kips leather in nero and dark brown.
Interior material: cowhide/cotton.
Size: 9.8 cm x 9.5 cm x 0.3 cm
Pockets: 4 pockets
Colour: Nero (kips leather), dark brown (kips leather), zenith blue (Italian leather), pink (Italian leather), khaki (Italian leather), desert (Italian leather).
*Colours may differ slightly between the photograph and the actual product.
About the maker
My name is Maki Kido, the representative of Azumaya, the company that delivers this product.
The "IKI (粋) HOKUSAI" series was created by my father, the fifth president of Azumaya, a leather goods manufacturer and seller with a history of over 100 years, who wanted to create small leather goods with a print on the inside.
The first version of the series, which was previously launched in Japan, was based on the motif of Katsushika Hokusai's ukiyo-e print of Ryogoku Bridge, in order to emphasise the importance of Ryogoku, a place where the company has been doing business for many years. This pass holder is a new version of that design.
I created the data for the design, even including the folded edge, and my father cut the inkjet-printed cowhide, one part at a time. My uncle, an apprentice of my father's father (who was a sewing artisan), is in charge of the sewing. Please take a look at the carefully crafted products that are the result of our family's cooperation.
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今村美由紀
460 days agoI love AZUMAYA's products because I can feel the pride, craftsmanship, and warmth of Japanese people.
Google Translated Comment Show Original Comments(AZUMAYAさんの製品は日本人の誇りや職人技、温かみを感じるので大好き)
有限会社東屋
Miyuki, thank you very much for your prompt support.
Google Translated Comment Show Original CommentsWe will take care of it. Thank you very much.
(みゆきさま、早速の応援本当にありがとうございます。
大切にお届けさせていただきます。どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。)
吉村マサキ
460 days agoThe long-awaited "Enoshima offing"!! ️
Google Translated Comment Show Original CommentsI bought it for my eldest daughter as a present.
Thank you again.
(待望の『江ノ島沖』‼️
長女にプレゼント用に買わせて頂きました。
また色々お願い申し上げます。)
有限会社東屋
Yoshimura-san, thank you very much for your daughter's gift. Thank you for your continued support.
Google Translated Comment Show Original Comments(吉村さん お嬢様のプレゼントに本当にありがとうございます。こちらこそ今後ともどうぞよろしくお願いいたします。)
vivi_putimetal
460 days agoI'm really looking forward to the arrival! ! I'm looking forward to Ukiyoe Puchi Puchi!
Google Translated Comment Show Original Comments(届くのをとっても楽しみにしています！！浮世絵ぷちぷちも楽しみです！)
有限会社東屋
Thank you for this time. Sorry for the late thank you message! Ukiyo-e Puchi Puchi is very nice and I am looking forward to delivering it to you! !
Google Translated Comment Show Original Comments(この度はありがとうございます。御礼メッセージが遅れまして申し訳ありません！浮世絵ぷちぷちとっても素敵で私もお届けすることが楽しみです！！)
iwk
460 days agoI will make it as a birthday present for my best friend. I'm looking forward to including Ukiyoe Puchi Puchi.
Google Translated Comment Show Original Comments(親友への誕生日プレゼントにします。浮世絵ぷちぷち含め楽しみです。)
有限会社東屋
thank you iwk I am very happy that you chose me for your birthday present. We are glad that you liked it. We will send it with a gift ribbon sticker!
Google Translated Comment Show Original Comments(iwk さま ありがとうございます。お誕生日のプレゼントにお選びいただきとても嬉しいです。お気に召していただけましたら幸いでございます。プレゼントリボンシールをお付けしてお送りさせていただきます！)