SHIRONAMESHI
"SHIRONAMESHI" is a tanned leather of Himeji in Japan with a history of over 1000 years.
Himeji's "white tanned leather" has a history of over 1000 years
This is leather that is finished with salt and rapeseed oil without using any chemicals, and has the natural skin color of an animal. The white tanning technique, which was once on the verge of extinction, has been revived by modern craftsmen.
Four designers and artists will create works based on the theme of "white tanned leather," and an exhibition will be held in Tokyo and Fukuoka in 2022 and in Paris in 2023. Participating designers are Tomo&Co, Aloha Blossom, ITTI, and ceramic artist Noguchi Hironari. Noguchi will paint white tanned leather and use it to create works for each brand.
Shironameshi leather is a tanned leather that preserves the original skin color of animals, that is finished with only salt and rapeseed oil without using any chemicals, and it has a history of more than 1000 years.
Four designers and artists have teamed up to use the Shironameshi leather and will hold an exhibition in Tokyo and Fukuoka in 2022 and in Paris in 2023. Tomo&Co, Aloha Blossom, and ITTI will use painted leather by artist Kansai Noguchi to create special products for the exhibition.
SHIRONAMESHI EXHIBITIONS
Shironameshi leather
White tanned leather
This is leather that has the natural skin color of an animal, and is finished without using any chemicals, using only salt and rapeseed oil. The once almost extinct technique of white tanning has been revived by modern leather tanner Shinta. This craftsmanship, backed by history, has been described as "ultimate = unfinished." These are the base materials, and because they are pure, they are full of all kinds of possibilities.
Shironameshi leather is tanned leather that preserves the original skin color of animals, which is finished with only salt and rapeseed oil without using any chemicals. Although the method of making the Shironameshi leather once almost became extinct, Mr. Matomo Nitta, a modern tanning leather craftsman, has revived it. Japan's highest peak of leather, the Shironameshi leather, is in a different context from premium leather. The craftsmanship backed by experience in a long period of time is said to be "ultimate equals unfinished." Because these are base and innocent, they are full of possibilities.
Himeji, the mecca of the leather industry
Himeji, the mecca of the leather industry
This area in western Hyogo Prefecture is called Harima, and in a book from the Heian period it is written that "Harima is a leather producing region." The water quality of the Ichikawa River, which flows through the Takagi district, which has supported the white tanning industry in each era for over 1,000 years, is ideal for white tanning, and it is said that other rivers make it impossible to do the work as desired. In addition, the white tanning industry inevitably flourished in the Harima region, which has all the right climate, geography, and environment.
Himeji , located in the western part of Hyogo prefecture, was traditionally called Harima . Records from the Heian period (794 to 1185) show that Harima was an area known for leather production. In this period over a thousand years ago, the SHIRONAMESHI method was practiced mainly in the Takagi area of Himeji . The waters of the Ichikawa and the river that ran through the area were perfect for this method. It is said that SHIRONAMESHI could not have developed in other areas because of differences in water quality. Besides the water quality, the climate and environment of Harima contributed to the success of this method.
Handing down the techniques and declining of the industry
The transmission and decline of technology
The tanning technique was introduced to Japan from the ancient continent. With the blessings of Ichikawa's water and sunshine, it developed into a unique method using only salt and oil as ingredients. Beautiful, light milky white, soft white tanned leather became a specialty of the Himeji domain during the Edo period, and leather crafts spread both domestically and internationally. However, with the spread of Western tanned leather from the Meiji period onwards, the demand for white tanned leather gradually decreased.
Tanning was originally brought over to Japan from China in ancient times. With the waters of the Ichikawa and weather conditions at Himeji , the SHIRONAMESHI method, which uses only salt and oil, was gradually evolved. During the Edo period, SHIRONAMESHI leather, famed for its beautiful cream color and strength and suppleness, was a specialty of the Himeji clan. Leatherwork using SHIRONAMESHI leather was sought after both at home and abroad. However, as western tanning methods gained popularity after the Meiji period, demand for SHIRONAMESHI leather decreased.
Acknowledgment of the “SHIRONAMESHI”
Himeji's white leather tanning recognized worldwide
Himeji's white tanning technique has a long history, but chrome tanning, which has low manufacturing costs and allows for mass production, became the mainstream. In 2000, when white tanning had disappeared as an industry, Dr. G. Moak (director of the National Reutlingen Leather Research Institute's tanning school) sent a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs. The letter praised the rarity of white tanning and strongly advocated the need to preserve it. This was the catalyst for the revival of the traditional technique.
SHIRONAMESHI initially lost favor when chromium tanning methods, which were much cheaper and more suitable for mass production, became more widespread. Around 2000, long after the practice of SHIRONAMESHI had ceased, Dr. G. Moog, the dean of the Leather Institute German Tanners' School Reutlingen, urged local Himeji government officials to revive this traditional technique. In a letter, he hailed the uniqueness of the SHIRONAMESHI method and insisted that the technique be brought back and preserved.
SHIRONAMESHI 2022
IMAGE VISUAL
SHIRONAMESHI × ITTI
White tanned leather × Itchi
With an overwhelming natural presence, designer Aoki himself was fascinated by white tanning, which is used for ITTI's standard items such as bags and wallets. The original scratches and discoloration are also transformed into design value, creating a finish that is practical yet feels like wearing art.
The overwhelming presence of natural taste. Shironameshi leather which the designer Aoki himself uses for ITTI's standard items including bags and wallets. The original scratches and discolorations are transformed into design value, and the result is an image of wearing art with practicality.
NUBUCK SHIRONAMESHI × ITTI
Nubuck white tanned leather x Itch
White tanned leather is made using a method handed down for over 1000 years, without the use of chemicals, but only water, salt, and rapeseed oil. "NUBUCK SHIRONAMESHI" is based on the concept of upcycling leather that has a rough finish and is difficult to use as is. After dyeing, the grain surface is scraped with sandpaper to create a rich, tasteful finish that has never been seen before.
White-tanned leather is tanned using only water, salt, and rapeseed oil, without the use of chemicals, a method that has been handed down for over 1000 years. The concept of "NUBUCK SHIRONAMESHI" is to upcycle the leather that has a rough finish and is difficult to use as it is. After dyeing, the silver surface is shaved with sandpaper to create an unprecedentedly rich look.
SHIRONAMESHI × KANSAI NOGUCHI
White tanned leather × Noguchi Hiroshi
The numerous circles drawn on the paintings and ceramics are the inspiration for Noguchi's own series of works, which she created after learning of her beloved dog's remaining life, in the hope of "reincarnation." The smudges and stains remaining on the white tanned leather evoke the breathing of the creature, and the drawing of new circles gives the piece a sense of being given new life.
Paintings on leather and potteries. These paintings are derived from Noguchi's series of works in which he created circles and souls in the hope of "reincarnation" after he was informed of his beloved dog's life expectancy. The blotches and stains on the Shironameshi leather remind us of the breath of once living things in the past, and the newly drawn circles seem to breathe life into them once again.
PRODUCTS
