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Hello, I'm Sugawara, the designer. This time, as an extra chapter in the development story of the 20th anniversary model "Jet Black Lizard," I'd like to focus on the place where this bag actually "takes shape."
The "Jet Black Handle" born in Sabae City, Fukui Prefecture, as mentioned in the second installment. Receiving these artistic parts and elevating them into a single bag is the work of a "Toyooka Kaban Certified Factory" in Toyooka City, Hyogo Prefecture.
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1. Toyooka, the Holy Land of Bags, and its Strict Certification Standards
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Toyooka City, located in northern Hyogo Prefecture, is Japan's largest bag production area, with roots in woven crafts (willow ware) dating back over a thousand years.
Among these, only products from certified factories that meet the strict quality standards set by the Hyogo Prefecture Bag Industry Association and that have passed rigorous inspections are allowed to be called "Toyooka Kaban." This 20th-anniversary model is meticulously crafted one by one by skilled artisans who have overcome these high hurdles.
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2. Sewing Technology that "Utilizes" Lizard PVC
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The main material for this bag is lizard PVC.
While it offers practicality superior to natural materials, sewing it without compromising its intricate pattern and texture demands extremely high skill. In particular, the process of cutting and sewing the lizard's distinctive "scales (spots)" to be symmetrical and beautifully arranged without any misalignment is a world of mere fractions of a millimeter.
The artisans of Toyooka assess the material's thickness and elasticity, finely adjusting the sewing machine's needle progression and thread tension to create a three-dimensional form. |
3. The final stitch: Incorporating the "Jet Black Handle"
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The process of attaching the jet-black handle that arrived from Fukui to the bag body is the most tense moment in the production of this bag.
It requires integrating the delicate, lacquered handle with the bag body without damaging it, and with a robustness befitting a lifelong item.
This is the "experience" possessed by Toyooka artisans who have been making luxurious bags for many years. The relay of Japanese masters, bridging different traditions—Echizen lacquerware and Toyooka bag manufacturing techniques—breathes soul into this bag. |
4. The Pride of the Artisan Residing in Unseen Parts
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 The process of beautifully lining the interior with custom dark green. The pride of a Toyooka Kaban certified factory lies in these unseen parts.
"To ensure it maintains its shape even with long-term use and enhances the wearer's elegant movements."
With this belief, the artisans sew each stitch, incorporating 20 years of gratitude. Not just a "bag," but the crystallization of Japanese craftsmanship, delivered to you.
The jet-black lizard is now in its final stages at the Toyooka workshop. Please look forward to its completion.
In the next blog (scheduled for May 23rd), we will finally discuss the selection of the "lizard PVC material" that determines the look of this bag, and thethree luxurious limited-edition 20th-anniversary benefits.
We will reveal all of our "aesthetic judgment" honed over 20 years. Please look forward to it. |
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There are many good things when it comes to men's clothing, but not so many when it comes to bags. So, let's make them ourselves. With this straightforward idea, we launched the leather bag brand "YOUTA" in 2006. The material I focused on, having worked in various apparel-related fields such as clothing, watches, and shoes, was synthetic leather.We aim to continue supporting Japanese manufacturing by providing comfortable business lives to working people through the craftsmanship that is a traditional Japanese culture. Kenta Sugawara, Representative Director
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