Bunko-ya Oozeki, a Leather Store that Offers a Wide Variety of Patterns

Hello, this is the staff of The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon. This time, we would like to introduce Bunko-ya Oozeki, a stylish bunko leather store located one street behind the Nakamise shopping street.

Bunko leather created by the skill of talented craftsmen

This craftwork is made by stamping pure white cowhide and giving it a unique finish. After each stroke of color is applied by hand, it is finished with a technique called rust inlay, which uses lacquer and Makomo plant spore powder.

The unique texture of the fine and colorful patterns, ranging from traditional ukiyo-e and komon to modern patterns, is a characteristic feature of their products. Items such as wallets, clasps, pass cases, and personal cases that can hold passports are all available in a wide variety of beautiful patterns. The soft leather will fit your hand as you use it, and they are perfect as gifts that will be cherished and used for a lifetime.

*“The colors are created to match the patterns with the experience and sensitivity of our craftsmen, and each brushstroke is painted with care.”* -©Bunko-ya Oozeki

From cute little flower patterns to ukiyo-e motifs, their wide variety of patterns are beautiful.

There is a wide variety of shapes and sizes, including clasps, wallets, key cases, long wallets, and more.

More than 90 years of artisan skills passed down from generation to generation

The founder, Mr. Uzaburo Oozeki, after training in Yokohama in the early Taisho period (1912-1926) and after the Great Kanto Earthquake, established a workshop in Mukojima, Sumida-ku, Tokyo in 1927. Before the Great Kanto Earthquake, there were several bunko-leather workshops in the Kanto area, but after the earthquake, there was only one: Bunko-ya Oozeki.

During the war, during air raids, they carried the stamped plates, which were their property, into air-raid shelters to protect them. After the war, production resumed in a workshop that miraculously survived the fire, and craftsmen continue to handcraft each product in the Mukojima workshop to this day. Currently, the company has stores in Asakusa, Ginza, and Tokyo Solamachi.

The stylish and calm store interior is decorated with seasonal flowers.

I personally love this business card case, which I will cherish and use for many years to come.

Their products make a great souvenir or gift for a loved one. It is only a 3-minute walk from The Gate Hotel Kaminarimon, so if you visit Sensoji Temple, you may want to take a peek at this store.