A clasp purse made with fabric finished using the "katazome" stencil-dyeing technique.
Because each step from stencil-making to dyeing is done by hand, even the same pattern has its own individual character.
The slightly irregular outlines and uneven patterns — those handmade "variations" give the piece a charming, warm expression. This is an item where you can feel the human touch that digital methods cannot reproduce.
*Because the appearance of the pattern varies depending on the cutting location, you cannot choose the pattern placement. Please understand in advance.
Comfort for everyday use
Its size fits neatly in both hands and won't take up much space in your bag.
Still, it's just the right size to hold small items like lip balm or makeup tools.
Because it’s a clasp purse, it opens wide and the opening and closing are smooth. You can snap it open with one hand and quickly take out what you need, which is very convenient.
A sense of quality you feel every time you pick it up
The metal fittings are made of brass, giving a nostalgic yet refined feel.
The interior is finished with heavy-weight linen, creating a reassuring, carefully made product.
The contrast with the subdued tones of the exterior fabric is exquisite, adding a little thrill every time you open it.
Made with care, one by one
The clasp purses are made by "よつめ染布舎".
At this dyeing studio, traditional Japanese techniques such as "katazome" stencil-dyeing and "tsutsugaki" tube-resist drawing are used to apply patterns to fabric, which are then used to create products like these clasp purses.
The exterior fabric of the clasp purse is created using "katazome".
Katazome begins by creating an original stencil pattern. The stencil is placed on the fabric, and a paste made by mixing glutinous rice or rice bran is applied. The areas covered with paste do not take dye and become the white parts of the pattern.
Once the paste has dried, dye is applied with a brush. For a single color it can be done in one pass, but for multicolor finishes, each color is layered one by one, almost like painting a picture.
Finally, rinsing the paste away in water reveals the pattern clearly, and once dried the piece is complete.
Through this lengthy process a single piece of fabric is completed and then transformed into a clasp purse.
Patterns you won't find anywhere else
All patterns from "よつめ染布舎" are original. Therefore, this design is available only here.
The diamond (hishi) motif has long been used in family crests, kimonos, lacquerware, and woodcraft, and is thought to represent prosperity of descendants and good health.
By rendering this historic motif in monochrome, it takes on a modern, Scandinavian-like feel. Even those unfamiliar with traditional Japanese patterns can enjoy them easily.
Product specifications
Size: Height 11cm(4.33in) × Width 14cm(5.51in)
Materials: Outer 100% cotton / Inner linen 100% / Metal fittings: brass
Care and handling
Each item is made by hand, so slight variations in size may occur.
Because the appearance of the pattern changes depending on the cutting location, each delivered item will have a different look. We hope you enjoy these unique characteristics as one-of-a-kind features. Please note that you cannot choose the pattern placement in advance.
