KANOKA INDEN | INDEN

Brand

Traditional techniques of leather and lacquer introduced from foreign countries

GOODHISTOY * Kitamura Purse

• 1969
• Inden (Lacquered Deerskin Crafts)
• Hisamitsu Kitamura

History

Inden, which came from India.

We have been in business for more than 50 years, since 1969, when Sakuzo Kitamura founded the company in Osaka Prefecture as a leather goods processor.

We manufacture and sell Inden", a leather product made of deerskin with lacquer patterns.

The history of Inden dates back to the Heian period (794-1185) when it was introduced from India.

The leather and lacquer used to make Inden are adjusted by skilled craftsmen according to the weather, temperature, and humidity of the day.

Deerskin is soft, strong and breathable, making it ideal for wallets, card cases and business card holders.

The lacquer patterns on Inden are based on motifs of insects, which have been believed to be good luck since ancient times, and plants such as small cherry blossoms, which represent the four seasons.

The thickly lacquered lacquer is enjoyable to the touch.

We will continue to make a variety of products by skillfully utilizing the Inden techniques that have been handed down from generation to generation.

Characteristic

Small Leather Goods with a Japanese Heart

The deerskin used for Inden is so soft and strong that it is said to be the closest to human skin among leathers.

This makes it easy to use, and the products are plump and comfortable in the hand.

Deerskin, which is light and strong, has long been used for armor worn by samurai, horse saddles, and fire extinguishing costumes.

In both cases, people wore deerskin with designs of dragonflies, which are said to be insects of victory, to wish for good luck.

We engrave these auspicious motifs on Ise-katagami (Japanese paper), place cut deerskin on the paper, and apply lacquer with a spatula to create the patterns.

The motifs on the thickly lacquered surface have a three-dimensional texture and a luxurious appearance.

Kanoka Inden is a product of the highly skilled skills of leather craftsmen, the desire to carefully shape the product, and the love of Inden.

For Customers

The more you use it, the more it blends in.

As leather products are used for a long time, they become accustomed to your hands and gradually change in color, becoming darker or fading away.

However, the color change of the leather and the peeling off of the lacquer are proof that the product has been used for a long time.

The changes transform the product into a unique and beloved item that is unique to you.

For this Inden design, we chose the traditional Japanese lucky charms of "dragonfly" and "cherry blossom".