This is a classic tote bag with a minimalistic design by Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten, which was inspired by the traditional Japanese azuma bags.
Azuma bukuro (bag) first appeared during the Edo period (1603-1868) and was used for wrapping and carrying objects. An azuma bag is made by sewing a single piece of cloth in a straight line. It is said that the first azuma bags were made by sewing together furoshiki (traditional Japanese wrapping cloths) and tenugui (literally, “hand-wiper”, a thin Japanese hand towel made from cotton).
Durable, lightweight and practical, the tote bag is made from No.6 canvas sourced from Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture, Japan, which is known for its canvas and bag manufacturing.
The smaller the number, the thicker the canvas fabric with unevenness. No.6 is a paraffin canvas, with paraffin waxed on the canvas after it’s been slowly woven using an old-fashioned shuttle loom.
The resulting material is strong and extremely durable, and the bag is made using just one piece of fabric.
Perfect for everyday use, the bag will become softer and suppler over time.
ABOUT THE MAKERS
Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten was established way back in 1716 in Nara as the manufacturer and seller of a fabric known as Nara Sarashi. Made using hemp fibers, at the time, it was mainly used for making samurai’s kamishimo and monk’s robes. With the disappearance of samurai due to the Meiji Restoration, the biggest source of demand was lost and thus started the decline in demand for the Nara Sarashi cloth. It was Masashichi Nakagawa, the ninth-generation owner, who decided to branch out into other types of goods to save the company. In 1898 the company started making bath towels and baby clothes. Then linen napkins and tea towels. The owners also opened wholesale manufacturing, producing goods for other companies. Throughout its history, the brand’s focus stayed on artisanal craftsmanship and dedication to the material – hemp. Today, Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten is spearheading the movement to preserve and revive traditional Japanese crafts, working with artisans from across Japan.
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