The House of Japan Leather

Leather is a “living thing,” and every part has its own “character”: the right part of the hide for the right job

Leather keeps the animal's natural form: a cowhide is firmest at the back and softest at the belly. Even split evenly in tanning, its strength varies by part.

Worried about dirt on napped leather!

Brush in all directions to remove dirt; finish by brushing in one direction.

Richly textured Japan leather from Nara, the ancient capital steeped in history: in search of new craftsmanship

Nara, a 1,300-year-old capital with three World Heritage Sites, is also one of Japan’s leading leather shoe regions, with popular new leather shops.

High-quality, affordable leather shoes that satisfy grown-ups, too

HARUTA shoes are known for cemented construction, used since its early days, bonding upper to sole to make shoes efficiently at lower cost.

How to make leather last

Basics of storage and of handling mold, water, heat, and sunlight to make leather goods last, explained with test results and insights into leather's nature.

Touring Kagawa, Japan's top glove-producing region: the history and innovation of gloves

Facing the Seto Inland Sea and known as the “Udon Prefecture,” Kagawa leads Japan in glove production, and its precise skills shape many other leather goods.

How to cut with a leather knife or skiving knife (bettachi)

Hold the handle lightly with your thumb on it. Angle the blade, insert the corner of the blade as if pushing it slightly forward, then pull it toward you.

Punching holes at corners 2 (round awl)

Punch the holes with the diamond chisel, leaving the corner hole, then make the corner hole alone with a round awl.

A connoisseur's checkpoints ②: The color of leather

Amano Hokoku, a leather wholesaler founded in the Meiji era, pursues “original leather found nowhere else.” Its keyword today is an “antique feel.”