Compact Wallet Crafted with Matured Leather

A New Innovative Wallet for a New Lifestyle
Even though we are entering a society where digital money is the main method of payment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the size of wallets is becoming more compact while still inheriting a trend towards large-capacity design. Moreover, wallets made from leather as a material are widely circulated, but with the efficiency of mass production, there is an abundance of leather crafted into small and thinly-cut designs, leading to a loss of the natural appeal of leather.

Amidst this situation, the encounter with the leather "Matured Chrome Leather," developed by our partner, inspired us to create a new leather wallet that can serve as a tool for enriching our future lives. Recognizing the need for a wallet that combines the basic function of storing money with the full expression of the unique characteristics of leather. For ten years, Takenori Sakai, the founder of the leather wallet brand "MINA blue," has been delivering the charm of leather through various roles such as sales, product development, and manufacturing of bags and wallets. Now, he introduces a novel wallet concept featuring two pockets that will bring about abundance in your life.

2 Pocket Functionality
With your current wallet... there may be times when your money management becomes unclear.

Considering such a situation, the "HAYAMICHI" wallet enables you to create a three-step system, adjusting and carefully selecting the contents within its limited pockets.

1. Understand the contents of your wallet.
2. Reduce impulsive spending.
3. Upgrade the richness of your life by using money appropriately.

The front pocket capacity: Approximately 7 folded bills, approximately 4 cards, a suitable amount of coins, and keys.
The back pocket capacity: Approximately 7 bills, approximately 2 cards, a suitable amount of coins, and keys.

Compared to conventional wallets, these two pockets may seem to have less capacity. However, by considering their contents, you can become more mindful of your money usage, leading to a more sophisticated and fulfilling lifestyle.

Organizing Your Cards
① Arrange cards based on their frequency of use.
② After arranging, set a boundary line to only keep cards you plan to use within a certain period.

The key is to review all your cards regularly. This helps you organize your cards effectively. Adjust the contents according to changes in your lifestyle and activities, whether it's combining bills with cards or coins with cards. Tune your wallet's storage to suit your needs.

Four Thoughtful Details

① Minimal Stitching
Stitching connects multiple leather pieces. Although it may seem sturdy at first glance, in the long run, it can cause holes in the leather, leading to potential tearing or loosening of the stitching. To minimize this impact, "HAYAMICHI" reduces the number of leather parts and applies stitching only in key areas, reducing its impact on the leather.

② Front Pocket Innovation
Typically, pockets are made using a sewing method that involves stitching both ends. This can result in a narrow opening and require leaving extra material for stitching, making the wallet wider. To address this, "HAYAMICHI" employs the "Leather String Binding Method," where the traditional bentwood technique of “Magewappa" is used to fold the leather into a tube shape. This reduces the number of stitches, making it easier to access the contents and decreasing the overall size of the wallet.

③ No Metal Hardware
Metal hardware and leather have different durability levels, which is why we refrain from using any metal parts to ensure the wallet's longevity.

④ Flap Closure for Optimal Storage
Filling the wallet to its capacity can cause deformation and reduced durability. To counter this, we designed the flap closure to limit the amount of contents. This considerate feature ensures that the wallet maintains its shape and provides an opportunity to curate the contents when needed.

Unique "Matured Chrome Leather"
Fumihiro Minakawa of Mina felt a gap between the current trends and the leather market, he collaborated with Seizo Hashimoto of HASHIMOTO TANNING LIMITED COMPANY to create the "Matured Chrome Leather."

Matured Chrome Leather is produced by allowing approximately three times the usual two-month period required for tanning to mature, filling it with nutrients. Advanced techniques prevent the excessive removal of natural fats found in the animal, maintaining an appropriate amount of fat for a soft and supple feel. Special processing prevents the leather from loosening, resulting in tighter fibers and increased strength.

The bright light blue of Matured Chrome Leather reveals its natural color without artificial dyes, showcasing interesting variations in shades depending on the area of the leather. Typically, achieving such a deep light blue is rare without covering up natural blemishes and imperfections, but the decision to use the natural color preserves the leather's unique characteristics and the beauty of its unaltered state.

The "HAYAMICHI" technique mainly involves folding a single piece of leather, allowing one to appreciate its texture and dynamic appearance. Depending on the amount of content and hand oil, the leather remains flexible, gradually taking on a rounded shape. The leather feels slightly moist and adheres comfortably to the hand, providing an unprecedented sense of delight and comfort.

Project Background
The project stems from F. Minakawa's perception of the changing trends in the leather industry. Embracing a shift from mass production and consumption to valuing high-quality items, he sensed a crisis of the ancient leather culture coming to an end after thousands of years. Thus, he approached tanner S. Hashimoto to begin the development. With numerous trials and errors, it took five years to finally create the Matured Chrome Leather.

However, it took another five years to bring it to the market. During this time, I took charge of product development and sales, and Katsuhiro Wakui joined in wallet manufacturing, creating an elite team for mass production. After ten years of leather development, we are thrilled to present leather wallets under the brand "MINA blue."