The "red of the rising sun flag" embodies the Japanese spirit
Akane dye
Botanical Leather® is a 100% natural plant-dyed leather. Since the invention of inexpensive, color-stable chemical dyes about 150 years ago, the traditional "plant-dyed" technique has been steadily declining. In recent years, plant-dyed leather has emerged, in which 5-10% chemical dye is mixed into the broth of plants. 5-10% may seem like a small amount, but in terms of power, it is safe to say that the color is almost 100% chemical dye. Now, environmentally friendly "plant-dyed" leather is attracting attention again. In the midst of this, we make Botanical Leather® using "plant-dyed" leather, which uses only 100% natural dyes without any chemical dyes.
Akane is a perennial vine of the Rubiaceae family. The dye used in akane dyeing is made by boiling the roots of this plant. It is a red dye with a long history, and the red of the Japanese flag is dyed with this dye. Akane-dyed leather dyed with this time-honored color is a tasteful leather that evokes the commitment and history of modern craftsmen.
The oldest red color in Japan
This page contains a concise summary of the craftsmanship, including the challenges, thoughts, and processes involved in making leather.This page contains a concise summary of the craftsmanship, including the challenges, thoughts, and processes involved in making leather.This page contains a concise summary of the craftsmanship, including the challenges, thoughts, and processes involved in making leather.
Dyeing
Masato Komuro
Born in Fukuoka in 1983, he lives in Tokyo. He moved to Akizuki, Asakura City, Fukuoka Prefecture, where he was exposed to plant dyeing at his family's plant dyeing studio (Kobo Yumezaiku). He majored in dyeing and weaving at the Department of Crafts, Faculty of Fine Arts, Tokyo University of the Arts. While studying traditional techniques, he also explored new technical expressions such as plant dyeing leather. In 2007, he introduced whole garment knitting and mastered the techniques. In 2008, he started his own knitwear brand, "MAITO". In 2010, he established Might Design Works Co., Ltd. In the same year, he opened a directly managed store at 2k540 in Ueno, Taito Ward, Tokyo. In 2012, he opened an atelier shop in Kuramae, Taito Ward, Tokyo.
Botanical Leather®
Unlike plant dyeing, which uses chemical dyes, Botanical Leather® is dyed using a method called "plant dyeing" that uses 100% natural dyes made only from plants, without using any chemical dyes. This is why it is characterized by its unique, gentle colors that are kind to the environment and people. Plant dyeing, which dyes leather with life, is a complex combination of various factors such as the concentration of the dye, the temperature difference between inside and outside the workshop, the dyeing time, and the way the leather is moved, so the color will be different even if it is dyed with the same dye. In addition, the plants and trees used as raw materials are different even if they were cut down today and two weeks later, or this year and next year. In other words, you will never encounter the same color twice. It's a once-in-a-lifetime encounter, so to speak. This is also one of the charms of plant dyeing.