Leather Lab. hi-hi
POP UP

From December 11 to 20, 2026, an exhibition and sale of leather bags and accessories by Leather Lab. hi-hi, based in Iwanuma City, Miyagi Prefecture, will be held at amantai.

Leather Lab. hi-hi is a leather goods brand run by husband and wife Hiroyuki Hira and Mari. Hiroyuki studied design engineering at Tohoku Institute of Technology and began making leather bags and accessories while still a student. After graduation, he studied bag making during a short-term study abroad program in Florence, Italy. He began making and selling leather goods in 2011, and has continued to create them with Mari since 2016.

The most striking feature of Leather Lab. hi-hi's work is its use of curved lines. They incorporate soft shapes that conform to the human body into their designs.

Particularly distinctive is the "folk" series, which will also be on display at this exhibition. Inspired by traditional Tohoku craftsmanship, these woven leather bags are made by cutting the leather into long, thin strips and weaving them together.The leather is reportedly cut freehand without a ruler. The overlapping strips, with their slight irregularities rather than perfectly straight lines, create a soft appearance that differs from uniform weaving.

The leather used is vegetable-tanned cowhide made in Japan. Even leather that might not be considered first grade due to scratches, stains, or uneven coloring is regarded by the makers as having its own unique character. Rather than selecting uniform pieces and preparing them, they accept the differences in each piece of leather as they craft. This approach reflects their commitment to making the most of both the materials and their craftsmanship.

In addition to natural vegetable-tanned leather, they also offer leather treated with an iron mordant. This color, created by the reaction between the vegetable tannins in the leather and iron, is difficult to describe as either black or gray. The shades produced without dyes are layered with the natural variations of the material itself, giving them a unique depth.

Leather is a material that gradually changes in color and texture with continued use. The vegetable-tanned leather used for the folk bags will also deepen into a honey color over time. The iron-mordanted leather also darkens with use, revealing a different appearance from its original state. Even after leaving the hands of the makers, the leather continues to change as it absorbs the time and experiences of its owner. This quality of the material is another part of the enjoyment of using leather goods.

The folk bags are made to order on the days the artist is in the shop. While listening to customers talk about their preferences, how they plan to use the bag, and their daily lives, the makers will work with them to consider the materials, color, and shape. We hope you will consult with them one by one so that the bag can become a piece that fits into the owner's life and can be enjoyed for many years.

In addition to the folk bags, a variety of other bags and leather accessories will be available for purchase during the event. The selection will include both classic items and wallets for the new year.

Also, to commemorate amantai's fifth anniversary, leather bookmarks have been made for this exhibition. Made from the same Japanese vegetable-tanned leather as the folk bags, they will be available in two versions: natural and iron-mordanted. These will be given as gifts to customers who make a purchase during the event. Quantities are limited, so please be sure to stop by.

From selecting the materials to cutting and weaving the leather. We hope you will have the opportunity to see Leather Lab. hi-hi's work firsthand, where the unique character of the leather and the makers' craftsmanship come together. We look forward to seeing you in Kamakura this December.

Leather Lab. hi-hi POP UP

Location: amantai, 3-1-2 Yuigahama, Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture
Dates: Friday, December 11 to Sunday, December 20, 2026
Hours: 12:00–17:00
Closed: Wednesday, December 16 and Thursday, December 17
Artist in shop: Friday, December 11, Saturday, December 12, Sunday, December 13, Saturday, December 19, Sunday, December 20

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