INDEN YAMAMOTO｜KOSHU INDEN (LACQUERED DEERSKIN CRAFTS)

Brand

Evolving traditional techniques for the future

INDEN YAMAMOTO

• 1955
• KOSHU INDEN (LACQUERED DEERSKIN CRAFTS)
• Yusuke Yamamoto

History

Keeoing the tradition of Koshu Inden alive

Our founder, Kinnosuke Yamamoto, worked at Uehara Shoten (now Inden-ya Uehara Yushichi) in Kofu and learned the art of Inden.

However, he was forced to leave the business behind during World War II, when restrictions were placed on deerskin leather and he was drafted into service.

After the war, Kinnosuke returned to Kofu, which had been scorched by air raids, and began working as a subcontractor for a Tokyo-based bag manufacturer, establishing Yamamoto Shoten in 1955.

Kinnosuke wanted to revive the Koshu Inden that had been extinguished by the war.

In 1987, Kinnosuke's eldest son, Makoto, took over the business and renamed it "Inden-no-Yamamoto" (Yamamoto of Inden).

In 1996, Makoto passed the certification examination to become a traditional craftsman of Koshu Inden, making him the only traditional craftsman in Japan.

Yusuke, the third generation president, also became a traditional craftsman, following in his father's footsteps, and continues the work of spreading awareness of Koshu Inden and promoting the appeal of Koshu Inden through lectures and collaborations with pop culture brands.

Characteristic

Vividly colored Inden inherited and evolved from tradition

The most distinctive feature of our products are the beautiful colors.

It all started with the vivid colors that Kinnosuke saw overseas during his days in the military.

After the war, as the world became brighter, demand for Koshu Inden increased, and the Inden that Kinnosuke made became more diverse.

Before his death, Kinnosuke said, "Inden must be made in brighter colors." Yusuke Yamamoto, the third generation owner of Kinnosuke, started to use a variety of gradations for each color, including purple, which has been used since the early Showa period (early 1900s), and light blue, which has been used since around 1990.

The number of colors used in Inden has continued to increase, and now 30 colors and 200 pattern and color combinations are possible.

We are developing a variety of colors by applying our experience to new innovations in technology.

By taking a fresh look at old items, new discoveries can be made.

We will continue to inherit the tradition of Koshu Inden and further improve our techniques in order to continue improving it into the future.

For Customers

Inden to meet the diverse needs of the times.

We live in an age of diversifying values and needs.

Inden Yamamoto is working to create new expressions of Inden while utilizing the traditional techniques that make it special.

We want as many people as possible to know the charm of Koshu Inden, so we are working hard to develop a variety of products.

One such product is our URUSHINASHIKA line.

Japanese serow (deer) are hunted for population control according to Yamanashi Prefecture's designated bird and animal protection management plan.

However, most of these are discarded without being used effectively.

We wanted to make Koshu Inden from the skin of these discarded Japanese serows, so we developed this high-quality leather which is tanned without dyeing or bleaching in an environmentally friendly way.

It is the first pure white deerskin in Japan.

URUSHINASHIKA features a modern design that is a touch different from conventional Inden.

The glossy patterns painted with lacquer and the soft and smooth feel make this deerskin leather a joy to hold.

Please enjoy the texture created by the lacquer and deerskin.

Award

（"Yo-Yin Cherry Blossom" Selected for the 31st National Traditional Crafts Competition Sponsored by the Association for the Promotion of Traditional Craft Industries

   His new work was also selected for the 33rd and 34th National Traditional Crafts Competition.

2015: "Gakkiri Bukuro" was selected as one of the "Wonder 500" of excellent local products that Japan should be proud of.

2016: Participated in the "Lexus New Takumi Project" as a representative of Yamanashi Prefecture

2017: Received the Japan Traditional Craftsmen's Association Chairman's Award at the 2017 National Traditional Crafts Competition.

2018: Won the "Chairman Prize of Japan Federation of Small Business Associations" at the 2018 National Traditional Crafts Competition.

2020: Winner of the Kanto Traditional Craftsmen Chairman's Prize at the 19th Kanto Traditional Craftsmen's Association Competition.

2020: Recipient of the Young Artists Encouragement Prize at the 45th National Traditional Crafts Competition

2022: Winner of the Kanto Traditional Craftsmen Chairman's Prize at the 20th Kanto Traditional Craftsmen's Association Competition.