The Sumida area where The Gate Hotel Ryogoku is located is known for its many leather goods stores. In the Edo period (1603-1867), tanning of raw hides was a major industry in this area. After the Meiji period (1868-1912), the leather industry, which tanned hides and made them into products, also flourished in the area. The traditions and techniques have been passed down to the present day by skilled craftsmen. In Ryogoku, we would like to introduce Azumaya as a store where you can find high quality small leather goods. The desk mat at the front counter of The Gate Hotel Ryogoku is also made by this store.
Small leather goods that shine with modernity & skilled craftsmanship
Azumaya, established in 1914, is a specialty store of small leather goods with a history of more than 100 years. In order to deliver the “real thing” to as many people as possible, Azumaya’s leather goods are carefully produced one by one by skilled craftsmen and are overflowing with attention to detail. In the showroom space of the store, you will find not only wallets and coin purses, but also business card holders, personal seal cases, cable holders to organize cords, and a wide variety of other products. Currently, the sixth-generation head, Maki Kido, is the representative of the company, and while preserving the traditions of past generations, he is also focusing on developing new brands.
The shop also houses both a small museum and a manufacturing store as part of Sumida Ward’s Sumida 3M Movement, which aims to pass on the excellence of manufacturing.
It is about a 10-minute walk from The Gate Hotel Ryogoku. We hope you will take a look at their products, which are made with the utmost care and attention to detail in their construction and materials.
If you come by train, it is an 8-minute walk from the East Exit of Ryogoku Station on the JR Sobu Line or a 13-minute walk from Exit A5 of Ryogoku Station on the Toei Oedo Line.
Development of original brands
Azumaya launched the “Made in RYOGOKU” brand to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the company’s founding, with the hope that everyone involved in manufacturing will enjoy their work. Currently, there are two lineups.
Maruah pattern
The Maruah Pattern was designed with the image of beautiful reflections on the surface of the Sumida River, such as sparkling light, raindrops, and morning mist, as an expression of gratitude to the local community. As the name suggests, the “A” of “Azumaya” is occasionally placed within the circle; in 2016, it was certified as Sumida Modern (products that inherit traditions and techniques and contribute to the enhancement of the Sumida brand image).
“Wave” series will be created in the future.
.
Iki HOKUSAI
This is a series of wallets and card cases with paintings by Hokusai Katsushika, one of the most famous painters in Ryogoku, on the inside of the wallets and card cases. The fact that the paintings are placed on the inside, which is hard to see, gives a sense of the chic style. The masterpieces are reproduced in every detail using the advanced technology that Azumaya has cultivated.
A sackcloth museum in a prewar building
Also located in the pavilion is the Fukuromono Museum, which displays bags such as coin purses, billfolds, and cigarette cases from the Edo period to the present day. The museum was originally established in 2004 by the founding family, which was engaged in the wholesale of sackcloth, to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the company’s founding. The museum also exhibits the manual sewing machines and other production machinery used in the manufacture of sackcloth, providing visitors with valuable insight into that era.
In fact, this is the only place in both countries that was spared from the damage of World War II, and a very valuable folding screen from that time is still on display.
In addition, the museum plans to renovate the museum in June 2021, doubling the number of items on display.
Desk mat at The Gate Hotel Ryogoku
With the opening of the hotel, we had an original desk mat made for the front counter, a simple and cool desk mat with the “made in RYOGOKU” logo, and the “Gate” mark, the logo of The Gate Hotel, engraved on it. Not only is it easy to write on, but the luster and moist feel that only carefully tanned leather can have is a true work of craftsmanship.
At The Gate Hotel Ryogoku, we use artworks and ingredients made in collaboration with Sumida’s craftsmanship in this way. We hope you will notice it when you visit the hotel.
When you stop by the counter, please check out the beauty of the craftsmanship that shines through.
SHOP DATA
- 店名 Azumaya
- 住所 1-1-7 Ryogoku, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 130-0026
- TEL 03-3631-6353
- URL https://azumaya.bz/
- 営業時間 9：00～17：00
- 定休日 Saturdays, Sundays, national holidays, GW, year-end and New Year holidays, and summer holidays
*Please contact the store directly for the latest information on business hours, holidays, etc.
Where to stay
Drop in on us
You may also like
Explore the area
