The story of the Shifu bag,
started with the concept of
'Carrying Tradition with Me.'
We create bags with the concept of 'Carrying Tradition with Me,' using Shifu, a fabric with a history of over 400 years.
Our goal is to make Japanese traditional textiles feel more accessible and to design bags that can be carried effortlessly.
We aim to bring this piece of tradition closer to everyday life.
Our journey in bag-making began with our encounter with Shifu, and being deeply moved by its history and texture. Shifu, strong yet lightweight, reached its zenith in the Edo period as 'Kamiko' , but its production waned due to the labor-intensive process and the advent of modern spinning technologies. We wanted to reintroduce the tradition and quality of Shifu to a wider audience and create unique products that are more accessible and unlike anything before. This led us to the idea of making bags.
We launched the bag brand 'SHIFU,' initiating the creation of bags using paper. Whether it's casual, elegant, formal, or traditional Japanese attire, our bags suit any fashion style. With design and craftsmanship that rival high-end brands, we use Japan's traditional fabric to create unique bags that can only be made in Japan. Each artisan has dedicated themselves to crafting these new and innovative bags.
We are committed to using these Shifu bags to introduce many people to Shifu, a traditional Japanese textile, and its culture. By carrying these bags, we hope people will feel a closer connection to this tradition. Our goal is to not only share this with people in Japan but also to serve as a catalyst for introducing it to an international audience.
With this in mind, we create our Shifu bags.
About the Leather Used
"Adria Leather from the Renowned Italian Tannery Mastrotto"
Mastrotto, an esteemed Italian tannery founded in 1958, boasts the highest production volume in Italy and supplies leather for sofas and car seats worldwide. The 'Adria Leather' produced by Mastrotto is a chrome-tanned cowhide, distinctive for its Italian-style beautiful color palette. It is known for its perfect balance of softness and firmness, along with its elegant colors.
"Highest Quality Epsom Leather Used by Hermès"
The Voile Epsom from the prestigious French tannery HAAS is a luxury embossed cowhide from France. It is characterized by its vivid, distinctly French colors and wide range of hues. This leather is resistant to dirt and water, undergoes minimal aging over time, and is exceptionally durable. Epsom leather is a popular material synonymous with Hermès and is also used by various other high-end luxury brands.
