Leather Drawstring Bag - Grey

Drawing on traditions of the Matagi people of Tōhoku, northeastern Japan, this leather bag was designed for everyday use as a modern accessory. It is soft and durable, and keeps its contents safe from moisture. The Matagi are a distinct group whose culture has roots in hunting and the mountains. Their heritage holds that every animal is a gift from the mountain gods, and as such when hunting their practice has been to praise and use every part of their prey, leaving nothing to waste. The Matagi culture has produced winter clothes from deer hide and bags like these to carry tools and gunpowder. The hide used in these products is derived from the annual cull of around 20,000 deer in Iwate Prefecture, a measure necessary to control their population, and reduce damage to forests and crops. The ‘yama no itadaki‘ project was born to commercialise products made of deer hide that would otherwise be wasted, and to generate awareness of living respectfully with the mountain environment and provoke a sense of gratitude and reverence towards nature.

Size: L24 cm x W17 cm x H8 cm

Tōhoku

Tōhoku consists of six prefectures located in the north-east of Honshu island. This region is known for its hot spring (onsen) resorts, colourful festivals, remote sacred mountains and harsh winters. In 2011, the devastating earthquake and tsunami hit the region hard; however, the massive efforts in reconstruction are proof of the people’s resilience. Urushi (lacquer) ware, ironware and the crafting of kokeshi dolls make up but a few of the local industries in this lesser-visited region of Japan.