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> SHIB 酒袋鞄 Sake-Tote-Bag



A cotton sack was a very important
tool in the making of Japanese sake.
Used to filter sake in the purification
process, the sack was dyed by
persimmon tannin every summer
for decades.
This was done as a form of
waterproofing and sanitation.
It's called SAKABUKURO or SAKE SACK.
No two sakabukuro are alike.
Each changes color to the light.
Each has its own sign of long use,
in where its stitches lie.
HITOMONOKOTO has launched
its SAKABUKURO tote bag.
We've nicknamed it the "SHIB".
Please take a look at it.

















"SHIB"に使われている酒袋は主に清酒造りで有名な兵庫県、灘の名酒の酒蔵より出された酒袋です。酒袋は江戸時代に始まり20世紀初頭まで、濁り酒の糀を漉すために使われていた酒造りには欠かせない道具でした。毎夏、酒作りの職人が防水性、耐久性を維持して強固な酒袋にするため柿渋を何度もくり返し塗りました。生成りの綿布はそのうち 黒光りした革のような風合いに変化したのです。 いくつかの"SHIB"には大胆な"むかで縫い"と呼ばれる継ぎが施されています。太い綿糸で丁寧に丁寧に継がれたものです。美しくもあります。道具として長い間、大切に扱われていた気配が今でも伝わってくる、やさしさと力強さを備え持った魅力的な素材です。

The cotton sack used for SHIB comes directly from the warehouse of the brewer , the reputable sake brand coming from the city of Nada in Hyogo Japan, also a famous area for producing refined sake. Brewers used the sack "Saka-bukuro" during the Edo- period to filter "Nigori-sake"(unrefined sake) into "Seishu"(refined sake). This process was used up until the early 20th century. Every summer, craftsmen repeatedly applied persimmon juice on sakabukuro to improve waterproofing and antiseptic properties. Due to this process, the cotton fabric's appearance has changed, similar to tinged brown leather. Patches seen in a few places are called "Mukade-nui" (centipede stitching), stitched by thick cotton threads with care.An alluring texture of strength and warm-heartedness, reminiscent of the long history of brewers' ceaseless precision and diligence.






柿渋は夏、まだ青いうちの渋柿の果実を砕いて絞った液を壷やカメに収め、冷暗所に三ヶ月から一年ほど放置し発酵、熟成させた天然の耐水顔料です。常温で浸染めか引き染めをし、その後日光にあてて発色させます。初めは薄いベージュ色ですが、何度もくり返す内に赤茶色、焦茶色と濃い色になり、生地も硬く革のような風合いに変化していきます。 その防水性から昔は魚網、漆器の下塗り、番傘、雨合羽、染色型紙などには必ずこの柿渋が塗られていました。 "SHIB"は酒袋のなかでも稀少価値の高い、革のようなしなやかな強度と黒光りした深い色を持った酒袋を素材にしています。二つとして同じ色合いのモノは無く、色ムラ、傷は、丁寧な柿渋の行程を何度も、何度もくり返した結果生まれた酒袋特有の風合いです。 名酒を作る道具として何年も使われてきた存在感をご愛用ください。

Persimmon juice is a natural waterproofing pigment. It is extracted after not-yet-ripe, astringent persimmons are crushed and squeezed into liquid, which is then kept in clay pots in a dark, cold area so the liquid can ferment and age for three months to one year. The cloth is exposed to sunlight for coloring after immersing it in the persimmon juice or brushing the juice over the cloth at room temperature. At the beginning, the cloth appears light beige. As it is dyed repeatedly,however, the cloth turns darker, from red brown to umber. During this period,the cloth also turns into a hard, leather-like texture. Because of its high waterproofing property, persimmon juice was always applied to fishing nets, as a base coat for japan ware, to coarse oil-paper umbrellas (bangasa in Japanese), rainwear, and stencil patterns. "SHIB" are made from hard-to-find,dark sakabukuro cloth that is elastic,like leather,and has a black shiny appearance. No two "SHIB" are the same color. Blurring and scratching reflect the unique texture of sakabukuro cloth to which persimmon juice was applied repeatedly over the years. Enjoy the esthetic texture of exquisite sakabukuro cloth once used for making exquisite sake.  






"SHIB"は丁寧な手仕事で見事な鞄を創り出す職人達によって、ひとつひとつ縫製されています。 実は一枚ごとに表情の違う酒袋という素材に立ち向かえる職人を探すのは容易なではありませんでした。 確実に、丁寧に、美しく仕上げる職人はすぐに見つける事ができましたが、大きさ、色、継ぎはぎなど 一枚として同じもののない不揃いな、しかも年代物で稀少価値が高く、鋏の入れづらい 酒袋を引き受けてくれる人はなかなか見つからなかったのです。 それは正確無比な職人気質だけではなく、大胆な決断力と独創性を必要とする仕事でした。 そんな中、巡り合えたのは「革を読む感性」に優れ、素材の「個性」を存分に活かす革を知り尽くした職人でした。 革を相手に技術を駆使する彼らの技は、柿渋を何度も塗り固められ革のように硬くなった酒袋の個性を「楽しみ」 その特性を十二分に「読み」、大胆にそして的確な感覚で縫い上げる糸やステッチの運びを決め 納得のいく持ち手を組み合わせ酒袋トートの完成を実現させてくれました。 "SHIB"のものとしての生命力は、こうした職人の優れた手技と決断力によって生まれたのです。

Every "SHIB" is sewn by hand with artisanal skills and dedication by the craftsmen that we finally able to find. Each vintage "Sakabukuro" cloth has a different appearance, delicate texture and condition, therefore it was not easy to find craftsmen who can confront with this difficult material. Finishing the work precisely and carefully with trained skills was not enough. We searched for craftsman whose work was bold and showed extreme originality. Craftsmen that could handle these various cloths -so old and rare, moreover, cloths in different sizes, colors, and designs. That was when we came across to these incredible leather craftsmen who are famous for making reins and bridles for horses. They had the excellent sensitivity of 'reading' leather textures, and they knew how to make the most of the uniqueness of materials. Their knowledge of leathers and their beautifully refined handling skills were enough to 'read' the quality of the leather-like "Sakabukuro" cloth. Their skills were perfectly aligned to "enjoy" the cloths character, and to bravely "determine" how to sew each individual stitch to complete the much-awaited "SHIB" tote bags. Gloriously hand-made by those leather-crafts artisans with willpower and instinct, each "SHIB" product has its very own heartbeat.






ハンドル、他、使用している"SHIB"の皮革はすべて乗馬用の手綱やブライドル(馬頭につけるおもがい)に使われるブライドルレザーと呼ばれる選ばれた牛革です。皮革本来の風合いを生かす為 にタンニン(植物の渋)で鞣すことにより、しなやかで伸びやかな皮革になります。使いはじめに皮革が薄ら白く見えるのは、パラ フィン(蝋)の成分です。"タンニン鞣し"の工程で、革そのものが呼吸をしているかのようにパラフィン成分が表面に滲み出でくるのです。そして、使い込む程に艶を帶び、深みのある色に変化していきます。"タンニン鞣し"を施した皮革は、手に持ったり、身に付けたり、傍らにあるだけで「落ち着いた気持ちにさせる」作用があると言われます。自然の大きな力です。長くご愛用していた だくためにブラシや柔らかな布でのお手入れを勧めします。 * ブライドルレザーは、SHIB / L , Mサイズで使用しております。

Leathers used for handles and other parts of SHIB products are called "bridle leather", which is used for reins and bridles of horses. Tanning processes using persimmon juice keeps the natural texture and allows the leather to remain supple. Paraffin can be seen as a subtle whiteness on the leather at the beginning of use. Within the process of tanning, paraffin oozes out to the surface as if the leather itself has begun breathing. The color will become richer and burnished after being used repeatedly. Tanned leather is said to be able to heal and comfort just by having it by your side or holding it in your hand. We wish you to embrace the great power of nature. We recommend you to groom with a brush or a soft cloth for prolonged use.






● お取り扱い注意
年代物の素材を使っております。そのため布地の 染めムラや傷、継ぎ等は商品特性ですのでご了承下さい / 内側の布に薄い 綿や絹生地を使用している物があります。突起物や角のあるものを入れる 場合にはご注意下さい/ 商品の外観は一つ一つ異なります/ 染め物の素材 ですので色落ちや、色移りする場合があります。薄い色や白物との併用は お避け下さい /汚れた場合は水で濡らした布を固く絞って乾拭きして下さい。

● HANDLING PRECAUTION
Please note that the blurring, scratches, and patches are part of the charm of these antique fabrics. / Delicate cotton clothes or silks are used for the inside of some of the bags. Be aware when storing items that might damage those materials. / No two have the same exact appearance or texture. / Avoid using with white clothes since some slight fading may occur. / Wring a wet cloth firmly and wipe when it needs to be cleaned.


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