Unique: a cyanotype leather shoulder bag | Handmade at Handiworks in Kamakura, Kanagawa Prefecture | Blog

This shoulder bag is made from cyanotype leather and has an original design from our store.

"Cyanotype" (sometimes called cyanotype) is sunlight photography. I think many of you may have done it as a science experiment when you were a child. I remember there was a "sunlight photography kit" in Gakken's monthly magazine. This uses the same technique, placing small flowers, leaves, and other objects on leather that has been coated with a photosensitive agent, exposing it to direct sunlight, capturing the silhouette, then rinsing the photosensitive agent with water, drying it, and using it to create an item.

Due to the characteristics of the technique used, each piece in this series is a one-of-a-kind item, and no two pieces are ever the same. Recently, they have often sold out within a few days of being put on the shelves, and I think they are becoming a staple series in our store.

This shoulder bag is decorated with spring flowers such as dandelions and white clover, making it look as if the spring flowers are swaying in the breeze inside the bag.

The shoulder straps are also handmade, made from cyanotype leather. The tassels are also made from the same leather. It's an elaborate piece, but the materials are uniform, so I think it gives the bag a very unified look.

The inside is lined and there are two pockets on each side.

It is currently on display at our stores in Kamakura and Hase. We hope you will take a look at it. However, as mentioned above, it is a one-of-a-kind item, so we apologize if it is sold out.