Tradition and concept of traditional Japanese leather revived after 10 years The - Première Vision Paris
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The leather we handle is the leather of Japanese deer and boar, which are indigenous to Japan and have been used in Japan since ancient times and are treasured in museums. Since the Meiji era (1868-1912), these skins had been absent from the Japanese leather culture for about 100 years. Therefore, it has taken many years to revive this leather and uncover its history and techniques.
Modern use of natural leather, which had not been used for many years, was difficult, and it took many years to stabilize the quality of the leather because the finish was different from that of cows and pigs. Since the water quality in Japan is different from that in other countries, the texture of the leather is completely different from that of other countries. Since the leather is made from deer, a species indigenous to Japan, it is a completely new material, and it took many years to commercialize it.
Many manufacturers and department stores refused to carry it because natural leather has many scratches, and Japanese deer leather is small, thin, and easily stretched. However, we had realized the truth. This new material is unique in the world, and it exists only in Japan.
Secondly, as we live, we also get scars, but these scars are a sign of life and a sign of natural materials, so they are always recognized. Lastly, we believe that Japanese people should be proud of leather, which is deeply related to the history of Japan.
We decided to create a brand called “0rigin Leather Japan”, which means “leather of the origin of Japanese history”. Our value is that we are able to use deerskin and boarskin, which are indigenous species only found in Japan, but they all have to be sustainable.
We found value in discarded skins in Japan, managed the process from capture to shipment of skins with traceability, dug up the history of Japan, examined the time period, and researched how to use the new material, Japan’s indigenous deer skin.
Over the past 10 years, we have created a stable supply, quality control, and historical leather products. This natural Japanese leather has material characteristics that are full of SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) concepts, Japanese history, and geographical features. Our value is to be able to provide this know-how.
Normally, products made of natural lacquer cannot be bent because it hardens.
In Japan, most of the products called “Inden” can be bent because they are made of urethane mixed with about 1% lacquer. Therefore, it is uncertain whether it can be called Inden. We use leather that is 100% natural lacquer. It took us three years to develop a leather that can be hardened and bent. We were also the first in Japan to develop a technique to make patterns appear on the leather.
Our conceptual images are based on the idea that materials, along with colors, should be in tune and harmony with nature. For this reason, we shoot in the mountains of Kumano Kodo, an ancient road of history.
The quiet and austere natural environment of Japan nurtures our leather and encourages us to value the concept of SDGs.
We design our products from the concept of the material and practice consideration for people and the environment by reviving the traceability, history, and tradition of all leathers, collaborating with Japanese traditional industries, completing all manufacturing in Japan, cooperating with school education, and contributing to environmental protection.
Our mission is to bring you projects that make you feel Japan.
For more informations on the collection:
Visit our page on the Première Vision Marketplace, visit our website, follow us on Instagram @originleatherjapan or contact us at info@lettmelodia.com