‘If we sell our products online… We won’t be able to sleep’: Kyoto bag-maker
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'If we sell our products online… We won't be able to slumber': Kyoto bag-maker
Quaternary-generation Kyoto bag-maker Shinzaburo Ichizawa is generally inclined to doing things the one-time-fashioned way. But that'due south what endears him to his customers, which include the likes of Sofia Coppola.
"Nosotros'd want the customer to come up to our shop, and find a product they like by seeing it, holding it, or even smelling information technology," said Shinzaburo Ichizawa. (Photo: Threesixzero Productions)
xvi Feb 2022 06:30AM (Updated: 06 Aug 2022 01:47PM)
We don't know whether to experience worried or impressed past the cavalier mental attitude of handbag-maker Shinzaburo Ichizawa, who has no qualms making the aforementioned former bag designs for the past century.
"To go on ahead with the times, people focus on productivity and efficiency, or convenience. If we hunt after those, we can't make products that complement, and are useful to, our lives," he remarked.
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Founded in 1905 by his bang-up-grandfather Kihee Ichizawa, Shinzaburo has inherited a four-generation patriarchy that began its legacy past making hardy work bags, designed to carry milk, water ice blocks, carpenter'due south tools, and bottles of sake.
Today, the Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu brand specialises in highly functional numberless for men and women under three main collections, differentiated by the fabric – from cotton fiber sheet to hemp and tough sailcloth used to make tents.
In its arsenal of bag styles, you lot'll find backpacks, totes, shoulder bags, Boston bags, and other smaller sheet accessories – all with a wide range of fun prints or solid shades. Supposedly, Ichizawa has garnered quite a cult post-obit with known celebrity fans, the likes of Sofia Coppola. Who knew?
"We've been making products with canvas for a long time as information technology's a durable material. I want to continue making products that people volition use for many years and won't tire of," exclaimed Ichizawa.
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When he took over the business organization in 2009, Ichizawa chop-chop grew it from a small workshop of ten craftsmen to 70 today. For every veteran handbag-maker, there is an apprentice assigned to him. Pairing the artisans up in this manner assures skills are passed down from master to student – Ichizawa'south idea of a sustainable business organization model.
"We don't have a manual to tell you exactly how you should make the numberless. Everyone has their ain written notes. It has been like this since we started," he revealed.
All apprentices are expected to train for a minimum of seven years before they graduate as veterans. Typically, they are responsible for simpler processes like threading the sewing auto, attaching buttons, and hammering the hardware.
One of the most crucial skills they must principal is achieving the 1cm crease, every bit it'll be harder to stitch if the measurements are off, even past a millimetre. This exacting standard and brandish of Japanese-level technology is the reason why people keep to love Ichizawa bags.
All the bags are handcrafted and hand-sewn using traditional Vocalizer pes-pedal sewing machines, which every veteran pocketbook-maker is assigned. Many of the machines are former and come with their own characteristics. Swapping them amongst the artisans is highly unlikely, as they accept grown familiar with the settings of their hardware.
"It is incommunicable for all sewing machines to be exactly the aforementioned. If I'm using a different sewing machine, I'm able to adjust it to about 70 per cent of my preference. But to have it resemble fifty-fifty 95 per cent of a machine I'thousand used to, volition accept months of continuous adjustments," shared veteran craftsman, Yoshitaka Sato.
Since introducing new bag designs isn't a priority, Ichizawa does not hire dedicated purse designers. But he volition take the lead and acquit advert-hoc brainstorming sessions to discuss new product ideas.
"First, nosotros mind to suggestions from various people. Then we improve on the design numerous times and conduct user trials. Finally, when nosotros have a expert production is when we start selling it," he shared, noting that a new design can take several years before information technology'southward finally marketed.
To learn a bag for yourself, yous have to travel to Kyoto and visit Ichizawa'southward outlet every bit it doesn't sell online or anywhere else in the world, nor does it have any desire to expand beyond its place of origin. Ichizawa firmly stands by his philosophy: Made in Kyoto, sold in Kyoto.
"If we sell our products online there volition be enquiries from customers 24 hours a twenty-four hour period. We won't exist able to sleep. Instead, nosotros'd want the client to come to our store, and find a product they like past seeing it, holding it, or fifty-fifty smelling information technology."
Adapted from the series Remarkable Living (Flavor 3). Watch total episodes on CNA, every Sun at 8.30pm.
Disclaimer: This video was filmed before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Update (Feb 17, 2021): Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu has opened an eastward-shop, citing difficulties in travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/remarkableliving/kyoto-japan-craft-bag-maker-252286
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