革を身近に感じる暮らし。
About "TOMITA"
We are a fabless manufacturer and curator of leather.
We have continued to engage in leather design and research & development, and responded to the various needs of the times.
In collaboration with more than 50 cooperating plants inside and outside Japan, we provide optimal proposals in pursuit of the possibilities of leather and creation of new value.
Through all sorts of sustainable methods, we build and deliver leather from cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs as the by-product of their meat.
LEZZA BOTANICA
A journey for getting closer to the earth’s bounty LEZZA BOTANICA is sustainable leathermaking that reuses plant-derived by-products (pomace) such as tea grounds and grape-pressing residue for tanning and dyeing leather, a food by-product.
Besides constituting sustainable leathermaking, the LEZZA BOTANICA Project is also an ongoing journey for meeting producers and encountering pomace nationwide.
What kinds of pomace are in your area? We are looking for partners on our journey.
Japanese Pattern
Asanoha
麻の葉
Featuring hexagonal shapes, this geometric pattern has been used to adorn Buddhist statues for more than 1,000 years.
The hemp plant grows very rapidly and has a strong life force.
It reportedly can reach a height of four meters in just four months. Because the plant grows quickly and straight upward, the pattern signifies health and growth.
It is also often used in wear for infants and in amulets with wishes for healthy growth and warding off evil.
Chidori
千鳥
Chidori is a collective term for birds of the plover family that gather at watersides. The various patterns range from realistic ones to simplified ones.
The figures of Chidori hopping over waves has the connotation of overcoming troubles together, and the patterns are considered fortunate for victory in contests and peace in the home. They are propitious patterns that have been favored for more than about 1,300 years.
Shippo
七宝
Because the circles spread in all directions (shihohappo) and cross-wise, this pattern came to be called Shippo, a term for the seven Buddhist treasures.
It consists of endlessly interlinked circles, and is auspicious for its associations with harmony, concord, and connection. In addition, it indicates that human ties and links are as valuable as the seven treasures.
Seigaiha
青海波
This pattern was transmitted to Japan from ancient Persia via the Silk Road. Its name derives from the Seigaiha dance performed by Prince Genji in The Tale of Genji, a story written in 1008, wearing a costume with this pattern.
The pattern is an auspicious one whose limitless waves express wishes for happiness continuing forever and peaceful lives.
Ichimatsu
市松
In olden times, there was a pattern modeled on paving with stones called Ishidatami.
In 1741, in the middle of the Edo period, the Kabuki actor Sanokawa Ichimatsu appeared on stage in Hakama with a checkboard pattern of white and dark blue squares.
This pattern was a hit with women, and subsequently came into vogue under the name “Ichimatsu.”
Shikanjima
芝翫縞
This is one of the “Kabuki patterns” used for Kabuki costumes. Originating with Nakamura Utaemon III, the Shikan in its name is a pun on a pseudonym of his.
It consists of alternate arrays of four stripes and interlinked rings.
In an 1814 performance together with Bando Mitsugoro, Utaemon III wore a costume with this pattern to rival that with three broader stripes worn by the former, and was roundly applauded.
Sayagata
紗綾形
Saya is a type of silken textile with a smooth, glossy surface. It is said that the name of the textile became that of the pattern because Saya is often woven with interlinked Manji symbols.
Manji is homonymous with a term meaning “10,000 characters,” and the pattern is endlessly repeated. For this reason, it is viewed as expressing hopes for the prosperity of the family and longevity.
Japanese Culture
金
継
ぎ
Kintsugi is a traditional Japanese technique for repairing broken pottery using lacquer and gold.
It views cracks as landscape, and decorates the seams with gold, silver, or other metal dust.
Instead of trying to make cracks invisible, it regards them as part of the history of the object, and creates a new beauty with them.
Kintsugi symbolizes the sustainable “Mottainai spirit” of avoiding needless waste passed down in Japan from ancient times.
We at TOMITA use modern technology to express Japan’s traditional gold leaf culture on leather.
Gold Leaf
Gold leaf was used on the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, Nikko Toshogu Shrine, and other structures with a high historical value, as well as lacquerware, ceramics, and various other products of arts, crafts, and sculpture.
Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture produced 98 percent of this Gold leaf, which adds a distinctive glitter to Japanese culture.
御
影
石
Mikage-ishi is a type of granite long used in Japan for shrine gates and monuments. That from Hyogo Prefecture is rated as the best due to its soft cherry color, fine grain, hardness, and gloss.
Mikage-ishi has been used for many historical structures, such as the walls of Osaka Castle and the Sanjo and Gojo bridges in Kyoto. At present, however, its quarrying is banned. It therefore has a high scarcity value and is difficult to acquire.
Mikage Leather is designed and produced in Hyogo, which produces Mikage-ishi.
蝦
夷
鹿
The Yezo shika is a species of deer native to Hokkaido. As compared to other species of Japanese deer, they are larger and have hides that are both supple and strong. These features make the hides suitable for development of apparel and various types of leather goods.
Damage to human society by wild animal
In Japan, there has been a rapid growth in the population of deer, wild boars, and bears since 2000. This growth is affecting human society in various ways, and the Yezo shika is no exception in this connection. It is estimated that wild animals caused damage worth 4.1 billion yen to crops and forestry as well as 4,009 road accidents and 3,915 rail accidents. The damage is therefore on a scale that cannot be overlooked.
Action to prevent damage from Yezo shika and gibier promotion
In 1998, Hokkaido authorities prepared a plan for protection and management aimed at the coexistence of Yezo shika and human beings, and launched efforts to control the Yezo shika population. With a sense of mourning for their precious lives, there are high hopes for effective use of their meat for gibier (wild game) food and hides for gibier leather.
Receipt of 2 ADC awards for an Yezo shika leather kimono created by Tomoe Shinohara
In appreciation of its leather upcycling, The Leather Scrap Kimono created by the actress and designer Tomoe Shinohara won the silver and bronze awards at the 101st ADC Annual Awards held in New York. The Awards are an international advertising award program.
We at TOMITA are introducing Yezo shika leather tanned at this plant and dyed with an indigo called “Japan Blue (Ai-zome)”.