Shinzaburo Ichizawa Speaks on 120 Years of Preserving Artisanal Bag Making

Located in a quiet corner of Kyoto near Kawaramachi, Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu proudly hangs its noren curtain. Founded over 120 years ago, this historic shop has continuously crafted bags using natural canvas.

In an era flooded with lightweight synthetic bags, why do they stick to labor-intensive traditional methods and operate out of just a single shop in Kyoto?

Through an interview with President Shinzaburo Ichizawa, we explore their timeless philosophy of craftsmanship and the true essence of a "tool that grows with you."

It Started with a Craftsman's "Tool Bag": Discovering the Sewing Machine 120 Years Ago

Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu began alongside the modernization of Japan. It was an era when national isolation ended, bringing new Western goods and technology to the country. It all started when an ancestor stumbled upon a sewing machine and turned it into a business.

Back when ordinary citizens wrapped their goods in furoshiki (cloth wrappers), the company was making "work bags" for tradespeople and merchants. Designed to withstand rough daily use, these bags relied on durable materials and meticulous stitching. This spirit of practical, utility-driven craftsmanship remains the core of the brand today.

"In the beginning, these were tool bags for carpenters, plasterers, and the like. That was the original demand. It's different now—most of our customers are everyday people."

As times changed, these utility bags evolved in shape and color, eventually catching on with the general public. Throughout its history, Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu has crafted bags that naturally fit into people's daily lives.

Why Canvas? How Natural Fibers Become "Uniquely Yours"

Even today, as lightweight and high-tech synthetic bags dominate the market, Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu believes natural canvas made from cotton and linen remains the material closest to human life.

"Wearing a shirt made of linen or cotton just feels better than wearing a synthetic one, doesn't it? So, because it feels closer to daily life, we stick to cotton and linen canvas."

As Shinzaburo points out, natural fibers possess a warmth and comfort that synthetics simply cannot replicate. While a synthetic bag looks its best the moment it comes off the line, a canvas bag only grows richer and more characterful with use.

"The more you use it, the more it ages gracefully—what you might call 'mellowing.' The color fades a bit, the fabric softens up. That's how it truly becomes the user's own bag. And that's why people grow so attached to them."

A well-worn bag becomes even more beloved than a brand-new one. That is because the bag is not merely an object, but a personal tool growing alongside its owner and recording their story. This perspective is a key reason why Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu remains cherished across generations.

No Designers: Bags Co-created by Customers and Artisans

Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu has no dedicated designers on staff to brainstorm new products. So who designs their diverse and ever-growing lineup? The answer lies in the dialogue between customers and artisans.

In the Kyoto store, direct conversations with visitors spark countless ideas: "Do you have a bag that can fit baby bottles and a change of clothes?" or "It would be great to have a pocket sized for a smartphone." These real-world requests become the inspiration for new designs.

"Even if you say 'designer,' we don't have anyone dedicated to just that. Our customers, our craftspeople, and our staff are all designers."

Of course, it's not just the customers—the artisans working hard every day on the shop floor are also crucial designers. New prototype shapes often emerge from the insights and sparks of inspiration gained through years of working with canvas.

Recently, Shinzaburo himself came up with a new patterned tote bag inspired by camellia flowers he spotted while taking a walk. Just like conversations with customers and the creative sparks of his craftspeople, daily life in Kyoto serves as a vital wellspring for their product creation.

No Manuals or Discontinued Lines: The "Joy of Making" Rooted in Trusting Artisans

In the workshop where around 70 artisans work, 100-year-old sewing machines are still actively running today. While computerized sewing machines enable efficient mass production, they can only produce fixed, standardized items. Traditional machines—offering high versatility to give shape to free-flowing ideas—are truly indispensable to their craft.

Surprisingly, there is no manufacturing manual in the workshop—a testament to the deep trust placed in the makers.

"As long as a flawless product is made in the end, it's fine for the artisans to brainstorm and figure out the process themselves. Telling them to make it exactly by the book might be easy, but it wouldn't be any fun. Humans just aren't wired that way."

Free from strict manuals, with room to think and innovate independently, makers can truly experience the joy of craftsmanship. This freedom likely contributes to the remarkably high retention rate among the artisans; there is no mandatory retirement age, and many employees return after taking maternity leave.

What's more, Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu has no concept of "discontinued models." Even items no longer displayed on shop shelves remain active designs that can be crafted at any time. Consequently, the catalog of bag patterns continues to grow. This high-mix, low-volume production style also provides the artisans with a rich variety of tasks, feeding the true essence of craftsmanship.

Playfulness Wrapped in "布包": The Mark That Defines Their Bags

A true symbol of Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu is the kanji compound "布包" (cloth-pack), which uses the radical for cloth rather than the standard kanji for bag, "鞄," which features the leather radical. This playful coined character was created to represent their dedication to crafting bags from cloth rather than leather.

The characters "布包" on the shop's noren curtain were brushed by the late Rokusuke Ei, a renowned broadcast writer and lyricist. The brand's history and personal connections breathe life into even the smallest details.

Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu bags feature three different types of labels. Name tags on classic bag models are printed with the shop's address—a remnant from an era before modern advertising, designed so customers could easily locate the shop for repairs or reorders. Rather than a mere brand logo, it serves as a "proof of craftsman responsibility."

Leading the Way by "Staying Behind the Times"

Despite attracting countless visitors from across Japan and around the world, Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu operates out of a single flagship store in Kyoto. This commitment stems from upholding their founding philosophy of "direct manufacturing and sales." Delivering items crafted by their own hands directly to customers—this simple approach to business forms the bedrock of their quality and trust.

"If you make it yourself and sell it yourself, you can't go wrong, and it gives you the greatest peace of mind, right?"

It is precisely because of this direct relationship that they can flexibly handle meticulous repairs as well as custom order requests from companies and art museums.

And in this era of mass production and mass consumption, they intentionally choose an inefficient path. Shinzaburo describes his company's style as "constantly lagging behind the times."

"Yet, they say if you keep lagging behind the times, every now and then you end up at the very front."

Rather than chasing the trends of the times, they steadfastly push forward on the path they believe in. This unwavering stance ultimately creates a unique value found nowhere else, continuing to draw people in.

Shinzaburo Ichizawa's "Philosophy of Craftsmanship"

When asked what he wants the future to look like, Shinzaburo calmly replied, "What will be, will be." While he does not speak grandly of the future, his words reflect a quiet confidence in the craftsmanship he has steadfastly protected over the years.

"The person making things has to feel the satisfaction of creating something, you know."

The creator's joy breeds the user's attachment. This simple cycle is the timeless source of Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu's enduring charm. As long as there are artisans who love craftsmanship, the sound of sewing machines in this workshop will continue to hum for the next 100 years.