Bamboo Briefcase

Product Description : Why is it so EXPENSIVE?

Product Story

General Product Information

This briefcase is made from a single piece of bamboo.
An A4-size envelope can in it. It is made of thinly split bamboo, approximately 3mm wide and 0.2mm thick, carefully woven together. *Please watch the video below for more details.
Unlike ordinary bamboo basket bags, the bag has a lid, and the inside (lining) of the bag is lined with fabric and has pockets. In addition, cowhide is used for the handles and corner pads, and the collaboration of bamboo and cowhide can be enjoyed in this product. Although this bag was produced with business scenes, it can also be used as a hand-held bag or a shoulder bag. How about trying a sustainable bag for your daily life?

 Product History

When did these crafts start to craft?：800 years ago / 1200AD / Kamakura period in Japan

During the Heian period (794-1185), bamboo was widely used for building materials, weapons for hunting, and tools for farming and fishing. In the Edo period (1603-1868), bamboo craftsmen worked hard to deliver their works to the shoguns (Conqueror of Japan). Later, craftsmen who made vases for flower arrangement and ladles for the tea ceremony came to live in Kyoto, and the bamboo crafts in Kyoto flourished.

Craftsman Story

Craftsman Profile

Bamboo Studio Kisetsu / Hideaki Hosokawa
Hideaki Hosokawa is a Kyoto-based bamboo craftsman who quit his job at the age of 30 and has been studying bamboo crafts for 20 years. Bamboo crafts have been used in the tea ceremony and flower arrangement, but he also produce briefcases, handbags, and other bags for daily use that can be used for modern life.
He has a Pasion to create products that people would want to hold in their hands and that are suitable for both men and women of all ages.

Craftsman Passion

"The position of a craftsman is difficult, but it is also interesting."
I believe that the "craftsman" is the person in between the "manufacturer" who mass-produces at a low cost and the "artist" who creates one-of-a-kind pieces at a nominal price. Craftsman must continue to produce products that can be used in daily life, that are neither too expensive nor too expensive, while preserving traditional techniques. It is certainly difficult to find the right balance between the two, but I find this job rewarding and above all, enjoyable.

Achievement

Qualified as a first-class bamboo craftsman
Awarded the Mayor of Kyoto Prize at the 51st Kyoto Bamboo Craft Exhibition
Exhibited at "International Cultural Heritage Exhibition", Louvre Museum, Upside Down Pyramid Arcade

 

Your Contribution to Craftsman

Customer Voice

Due to the market structure (link for full articles are attached bottom), craftsman have not known who the customer is and how customer reacts to their work. We made a “Message to Craftsman” box at purchase page. We will deliver all message to every craftsman. Our review will be also shared to craftsman so please leave your comment and evaluation on review section!

Income for Craftsman: Craftsman get only less than 10% of selling price?

As written above, craftsman have not controlled last phase of sales channel that resulting in selling price is set by third-party without craftsman’s recognition. There are some cases that only less than 10% of selling price is given to craftsman. We promise with our customer / craftsman that we offer the fair trade with craftsmen in our contract!

We made an article about above problem and our challenge. Please have a read from below link.
Current state of the Crafts Market / Benefits brought by Suigenkyo

Measurement

Width：36cm
Depth：13cm
Height：29cm
Weight：1,000g

Material & Caution

Materials

Bamboo
Leather

 

Caution

Individual Difference

Each piece is handmade, so there are individual differences even in the same series. We hope that you will understand the change by handmade.

Made to Order

Basically, this product is made to order, so it takes about 6 months from order to delivery. Please note that there may be unavoidable delays in delivery due to material shortages or delays in the production process.