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3 Ways to Shop Online from Japan and Buy Japanese Gear
…hionable aesthetic. As the Carryology team said in our roundup of favorite Japanese brands, master-piece “places high value on superior craftsmanship, creating each of their bags by hand in their BASE OSAKA workshop and taking great pride in showcasing the skills of Japanese artisans to the world.” They’re worth the effort to get your hands on one. 5. Resistant How to buy: Directly through their website. Born in the back of a bike shop in the earl…
GORUCK x Carryology GRXC2 | The Samurai Rises
…’m also a massive denim-head, owning several pairs of brutally heavyweight Japanese denim. If you’re not familiar, I warn you to be careful about going down this rabbit hole. From my experience in denim, I know the names of dozens of high-quality denim mills in Japan… but that’s it. And Japanese denim mills are widely known for being incredibly secretive to protect their unique processes and methods. So getting in touch with a great mill, let alon…
Carryology x rofmia Daypack | An Ode to Tradition and Tomorrow
…lack Dyneema nubuck and navy Dyneema smooth leather—materials rescued from Japanese warehouses, given new purpose. “By gathering and combining these pieces, we wanted to express the Japanese practice of valuing fabric and the unique patchwork combinations that emerged as a byproduct of this effort. This patchwork concept can still be seen in the Japanese landscape today. Think of simple farm tool sheds built from scrap materials. Or like work clot…
12 Japanese Brands You Should Know
…attention to detail and a deep respect for purpose. Here, we dive into the Japanese brands you should know—each one a masterclass in what happens when function, form, and philosophy collide. PORTER by Yoshida & Co. Born in 1962 under the watchful eye of Yoshida & Co. (a Japanese icon since 1935), PORTER has long been a benchmark for carry craftsmanship. Revered at home and respected abroad, they’re known for dialed-in design across business, EDC,…
GORUCK x Carryology GRXC2+ Samurai | Exclusive Release
…crafted, layer by layer, in the spirit of collaboration and legacy. Custom Japanese denim, made from scratch. Custom Japanese denim with technical coatings, made from scratch. Leather trim. Silk pulls. Armor-grade patches. And a five-piece collection worthy of the samurai name. So if you loved the original GRXC2 GR1 or even if you missed out because it sold out too quickly… Now here is your chance to score the very last of the Samurai collection….
Our Favorite Japanese Bags in 2024
…351-fd3 (US$227) This eye-catching pack stems from a collaboration between Japanese carry brand master-piece and Japanese brand FDMTL, known for their denim garments. The pack features a combination of materials such as specially manufactured Konbu ®-N 320D nylon twill, 1000D Cordura, and 1680D Cordura Ballistic® Nylon, with FDMTL’s printed denim patchwork pattern. The backpack boasts a variety of useful features including a flexible drawcord clos…
Our Favorite Japanese Bags Right Now
…e Rising Sun too, Japan’s shoulder bags, totes and slings, in our favorite Japanese bags instalment. And hey, if you’re curious about how to get your hands on Japanese carry, check out our guide to buying from Japan. Enjoy! hobo Quilted Polyester Tote Bag Small (~US$95) hobo’s signature blend of utility and urban style is well displayed in their Quilted Polyester Tote Bag. Ideal for stashing in a larger backpack, luggage, or when you simply need t…
GORUCK x Carryology GRXC2+ | The Samurai Returns
…crafted, layer by layer, in the spirit of collaboration and legacy. Custom Japanese denim, made from scratch. Custom Japanese denim with technical coatings, made from scratch. Leather trim. Silk pulls. Armor-grade patches. And a five-piece collection worthy of the samurai name. So if you loved the original GRXC2 GR1 or even if you missed out because it sold out too quickly… Now here is your chance to score the very last of the Samurai collection….
Carry History :: Antique Japanese Bags
…? Sri Threads is a by-appointment textile gallery specialising in antique, Japanese, indigo dyed cotton boro fabrics, the patched and mended folk textiles of old Japan. Sri’s extensive collections of Japanese utilitarian fabrics include a rich variety which are hand made of hemp, ramie and other natural fibres in the form of work clothing, farm bags, rustic netting, wrapping cloths and futon covers. Sashiko, shibori, katazome, sakiori and other te…
The 8 Best Small Japanese Brands You Should Know
…h premium quality and timeless design in mind, featuring materials such as Japanese vegetable-tanned leather and Japanese heavy-weight waxed cotton canvas. Manabu learned how to craft quality goods through working at his father’s sewing factory, creating products for the racehorse industry. When the factory had to close, they took it upon themselves to continue making equestrian products, eventually introducing bags to their offerings which opened…
The Anatomy of the World’s Most Affordable Travel T-Shirt
…e.” What made this partnership inevitable was Lemaire’s deep connection to Japanese design philosophy. He is “heavily inspired by Japanese fashion and culture, beginning with his first visit to the country in 1995″—a cultural shock that would fundamentally shape his approach to minimalist luxury. But UNIQLO’s founder Tadashi Yanai had grander ambitions than a typical collaboration. This was “no mere collaboration, but a full-blown atelier; a resea…
Furoshiki: hands-on with Made on the Moon
…ischarge-printed in the USA, and 27″x27″). Remember, it doesn’t have to be Japanese to be a furoshiki, so we didn’t necessarily limit ourselves to Japanese fabric only. Plus, frankly, this brand seemed like a lot of fun. A quick email exchange, and they were on-board with the idea of a Carryology furoshiki experiment. Though they sell these beautiful fabric squares to be used as bandanas (I always keep a bandana in my back pocket, daily…FWIW), the…
One Under-the-Radar Japanese Brand You Need to Know
…n, now 25 years old, is the original and crafts supreme carry in line with Japanese heavyweights such as Porter and MSPC. Beginnings It all began with denim. The year was 1995, and Harvest Corp’s CEO and founder Tatsuya Hige had just launched a bag made out of denim fabric, at the time considered a very new and revolutionary carry material. Meanwhile, revered designer Koichi Yamaguchi – brains behind the iconic and still super popular Tanker seri…
Why Japanese Brands Continue to Inspire the World
…ashion—exploring the philosophies, culture, and artisan spirit that define Japanese streetwear and the world of Japanese bags. From Tokyo’s commuter culture to the artisan skill of traditional workshops, we break down what makes these bags not just accessories, but cultural artefacts. https://youtu.be/7IsqawFcOTE We’re reader supported! Hey folks, this channel is reader-supported, so If you find something that sparks your interest and click throug…
master-piece (MSPC) Japan Exhibit
…ration with Seiko was also brilliant. MSPC partnered with the world-famous Japanese watchmaker after coming to the realization that they share similar values about Japanese craftsmanship. The collaboration has kicked off five models in total. Two of them are Seiko limited edition X MSPC branded, and the other three are regular Seiko branded. Wrapping Up I’ve known of MSPC for a while but I have never had the opportunity to take a close-up look at…
The Tale of the World’s Most Unlikely School Bag
…er centuries of isolation. Dutch military advisors arrive to modernize the Japanese army, and among their gear is something the Japanese have never really seen before—a structured military backpack called a “ransel.” The Japanese military takes one look at these Dutch backpacks and thinks: We need those. But this is Japan, so they don’t just copy them—they completely reimagine them, rebuild them, and eventually transform them into something that w…
Why You Should Know About Japanese Leather Brand, i ro se
What do you get when you combine art, science and Japanese precision craftsmanship? A collection of luxury bags and leather goods that are waiting to delight at every turn, whether it’s the discovery of a complex construction artfully incorporated into an elegant exterior, the strict attention to detail or simply a pop of color to brighten up your day. i ro se is a Tokyo-based brand brought to life by two brothers, Gen and Dai Takahashi (the bran…
The Best Urban Daypacks and Backpacks
…n any urban setting. But take a closer look and you’ll also find top-notch Japanese craftsmanship, simple organization and the versatility to move smoothly from work to play. Haerfest Arch Backpack (US$ 295) The slim, stylish profile of the Arch Backpack delivers an instant hit of street suaveness to your carry setup, backed up with a durable build featuring Japanese jacquard cotton, leather detailing and brass hardware. But there’s more than just…
A Guide to the World’s Most Extraordinary Tanneries
…nship with leather — which is, to put it plainly, complicated. For most of Japanese history, the handling of animal hides was considered kegare — ritually impure — under the Buddhist and Shinto traditions that shaped Japanese social life. The people who worked with leather were assigned to a social caste called the burakumin, who were legally segregated and subjected to discrimination that persisted long after the formal caste system was abolished…
12 Streetwear Sling Bags Perfect for EDC
…water-resistant coated canvas, the bag takes inspiration from traditional Japanese breastplate armor and can be worn across the chest, back or around the waist. It fits a 9.7” tablet in the main compartment, with exterior pockets also on hand to store smaller essentials within easy reach. nanamica Waist Bag (US$189) Looking for timeless style, durable construction and everyday functionality in a sling? Japanese brand nanamica deliver with their W…
Best Work Backpack Finalists – The Eighth Annual Carry Awards
…eye-catching backpack, crafted with a durable and handsome combination of Japanese heavyweight waxed cotton canvas, Japanese vegetable-tanned leather, and solid brass hardware. Expertly balancing a refined form with useful organization, the pack provides two exterior side flap pockets with magnetic closures, an interior 15″ laptop sleeve and a small interior pocket. Bellroy Classic Backpack Premium Edition Your work bag is one of the most used pi…
The Fascinating History and Science Behind Backpack Textiles
…nylon, but the aesthetic sensibility of a natural fiber. It’s a distinctly Japanese creation (pioneered by Komatsu, Japan), and it carries with it something of the Japanese design philosophy of wabi-sabi — the beauty of imperfection. A konbu nylon bag will develop its own character over time. The surface will soften slightly. The structure will relax. It will look, over years of use, like it has been lived in. That’s not a flaw. That’s the point….
Traveller Denim Co. shop visit :: Austin, TX
…ne Denim Mills selvedge from North Carolina in several weights and styles, Japanese 13.5 oz “pink line” indigo selvedge, 16 oz Japanese Nihon Menpu dark indigo raw unsanforized selvedge, and plenty more. Client’s choice. But the real star of the show is the mighty roll of NOS (new old stock) U.S. Cone Mills 13.5 oz indigo selvedge produced in the year 1968. This roll must have been uncovered in a forgotten airtight time capsule, as it is in immacu…
Design Heads :: master-piece Japan
…ifferent silhouette, different shape of parts, or way of sewing. There are things that are small details. We hope people notice those things. What’s next for MSPC? We will continue to create products with passion about “made in Japan” and to disseminate the quality of Japanese products. We hope master-piece will be a representative of Japanese bags. Update: we’ve had a few queries from crew keen to get their hands on some MSPC gear. If you’re in t…
How & What to Put in your Minimalist Travel Capsule Wardrobe
…signs of wear. All that lulu-love is well earned. Muji Best for: Sweaters Japanese brand Muji has received acclaim for their affordable travel pillows, eye masks, and travel slippers, but did you know they also make clothing? Although not specifically designed for travel, their clothing line is almost entirely basic, essential items you can pair with anything. In other words, perfect for a travel capsule wardrobe. When colder weather rolls around…
Best ‘Buy It For Life’ Brands | Snow Peak
…from every part of their range, we’ve picked some of the top gear from the Japanese powerhouse. Apparel Minimalist Japanese style married with innovative fabrics and design features, what’s not to love from Snow Peak’s apparel collection? Takibi Weather Cloth Jacket (US$459.95) The Takibi Weather Cloth Jacket is a loose-fitting workwear jacket that lends itself to various urban and outdoor pursuits, from running errands in town to kicking back at…
Nigel Cabourn | The Archivist
…ket that takes heritage more seriously than almost anywhere else on earth. Japanese consumers, with their deep appreciation for provenance, craft, and the stories embedded in objects, understood instinctively what Cabourn was doing. In 2009, the Army Gym opened in Tokyo — a Japanese flagship that became a pilgrimage destination for the menswear faithful. The store’s aesthetic mirrored the archive — dense with reference, rich with history, the kind…
HERZ shop visit | Japan
…y enough, Jon and I met through Instagram. He offered to nab me a pair of Japanese-made Kapital Century Denim sashiko denim jeans direct from the source, and mail them to me here in the USA. A few weeks later, they’re easily the single favorite piece of clothing I’ve ever owned. In our email exchanges, we began discussing high-end Japanese carry, and he brought up the idea of a Herz shop visit. We love learning about brands that are new to us a…
Drive By :: Barrett Alley Reuben Wallet
…ics. The lining options offered are antique Japanese solid indigo, antique Japanese indigo plaid, antique Japanese furoshiki, antique French toile de jouy, and antique American red and white stripes. On the outside, the Reuben is available in the following vegetable tanned cowhide leather: natural, russet, and Barrett’s brand new tobacco color. Barrett was generous enough to send out one of his first Reuben wallet creations, still hot off of the w…
IGNITION Reports :: the Randoseru
…he Pacific, our Japanese collaborators, IGNITION, dig a little deeper into Japanese backpack culture and fix their focus onto the humble schoolbag, the randoseru… Celebs with randoseru Randoseru schoolbags are an iconic box-like backpack synonymous with elementary school kids in Japan. But these high quality bags are becoming increasingly popular overseas. This spring, the media were abuzz when actress/singer and style icon Zooey Deschanel (from N…
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