Hello.
This is Noguchi from CASANOVA&CO.
Today, I'll be talking about this event again.
LUGGAGE LABEL limited store -Onkochishin-
2025.12.06(SAT) ~ 2025.12.14(SUN)
Yesterday, I introduced TRUE BLUE, a bag made entirely of naturally derived, biodegradable indigo-dyed materials.
Compared to TRUE BLUE, which had many shoulder bag styles, today's introduction will focus mainly on totes.
"FILAMENT."
This is another series that really stands out.
It's a well-known story that the inventor Edison successfully commercialized the incandescent light bulb using bamboo for the filament.
However, it is said that he went through a lot of trial and error, testing various materials, before finally arriving at the bamboo filament.
But the quality was far from satisfactory in terms of durability and continuous illumination time.
That's where the Yawata bamboo from Iwashimizu Hachimangu Shrine was supposedly chosen.
This Yawata bamboo apparently possessed the optimal thickness and durability for incandescent light bulb filaments, allowing Edison to greatly extend the continuous illumination time to 1200 hours, leading to mass production of incandescent light bulbs the following year.
This Japanese bamboo illuminated the world, but for the Japanese, it had been an integral part of their lives long before Edison's invention.
Sometimes as building materials, sometimes as farming tools, sometimes as dishes or flower vases, and even as folk crafts like bamboo baskets.
"Bamboo," which transformed into various forms, was intimately involved in Japanese life.
In modern times, many of these bamboo products have been replaced by plastic or metal ones, but with "FILAMENT," we decided to once again confront the material of "bamboo" as Japanese people.
A structure that not only highlights the emotional and aesthetic qualities of bamboo but also contributes to the functionality of the bag.
It became a very Japanese bag, yet very LUGGAGE LABEL-like, different from a mere bamboo handle.
LUGGAGE LABEL
"FILAMENT" TOTE BAG
color _ sand
LUGGAGE LABEL
"FILAMENT" TOTE BAG
color _ black
First, the basic tote bag.
All FILAMENT bags will be available in these two colors: sand and black.
The biggest feature, of course, is the bamboo handle.
This bamboo acts as a frame for the wide-mouthed tote bag, reducing the burden when carrying items.
One side of the handle has bamboo, and the other side has a leather handle.
You use it by looping the leather handle through the bamboo, as shown in the photo.
This is what it looks like when you carry it.
The canvas fabric itself is quite stiff, and the bamboo acts as a frame, maintaining the bag's structure. This means the shape doesn't collapse when you carry it, giving it a remarkably elegant and dignified appearance for a canvas bag.
Also, a small detail, but the engraved brass rivets used to reinforce the leather parts are very effective.
I think this bag has a very balanced appearance.
LUGGAGE LABEL
"FILAMENT" VERTICAL TOTE BAG
color _ sand
LUGGAGE LABEL
"FILAMENT" VERTICAL TOTE BAG
color _ black
This is the vertical version of the tote bag I just showed you.
Even though I say vertical, it's pretty close to a square in terms of balance.
A detail common to all FILAMENT models is the distinctive tape that runs continuously to the bottom.
Although only the stitching is visible from the outside, adding such a feature to canvas of this stiffness makes it incredibly strong.
It won't break easily, and it's extremely stable.
It was the same with TRUE BLUE, but looking at how the bottom and handles are reinforced, I can really feel the Yoshida Kaban touch.
Years of experience and data accumulated from facing bag-making and user feedback, and above all, thoughtfulness for the user.
Users will likely use it in a certain way, so they predict how it will be handled and reinforce areas prone to wear and tear over time.
And they do it using methods suited to each material and mood.
This is where the seasoned craftsmanship of a legend truly shines.
The internal structure is also very well thought out.
It's hard to see in the photo, but two layers of thinner canvas, cut diagonally, are joined vertically in the center, creating pocket spaces on both sides to store things like smartphones separately.
...My ability to describe it with words is so poor that you probably can't understand it at all, but well, please see it in person. lol
It's a very well-thought-out detail that subtly contributes to the bag's beautiful appearance.
I think this is the most elegant bag among the three LUGGAGE LABEL series.
It's minimalist and simple in shape, so the choice of materials and small details make a big difference.
A quiet, yet very strong bag.
LUGGAGE LABEL
"FILAMENT" 2WAY SHOULDER BAG
color _ sand
LUGGAGE LABEL
"FILAMENT" 2WAY SHOULDER BAG
color _ black
Finally, this one.
A model with a shoulder strap made of the same fabric.
The shoulder strap is incredibly strong, made with stitching that resembles a Union Jack.
It's wide and the length cannot be adjusted.
It might not be a versatile bag, but instead of adding more parts to achieve such mechanisms, it aims for beauty in its minimalist design.
Because "FILAMENT" has the concept mentioned earlier, it's natural for it to aim for that appearance.
I saw a sample about half a year ago, thinking, "This looks incredibly difficult to sew..." and it turns out the production hurdles were indeed very high. I heard it would launch before summer, but it ended up launching at directly managed stores in September.
Of course that would happen, with this fabric, this stitching, and even baked bamboo attached. Lol
LUGGAGE LABEL truly does things that aren't suited for mass production.
But there's no doubt that the atmosphere it creates is distinct from ordinary bags.
This part looks tough as well.
It's probably impossible to break it even if you try.
If you're wearing light clothing, you could probably wear it diagonally across your shoulder like a newspaper bag.
It might be a bit difficult if you're wearing a coat or a thick sweater.
The shoulder strap, when not in use, functions as a flap by tucking it inside.
When you look at these details, you realize that the length of the shoulder strap is perfectly calculated.
The three series of LUGGAGE LABEL bags are not "gear-like" bags packed with various functions.
However, I believe they are bags that are dedicated to providing the necessary functionality without excess or deficiency, and to possessing it beautifully.
Therefore, they neither neglect functionality nor distort beauty by over-pursuing it.
Among LUGGAGE LABEL's offerings, "FILAMENT" focuses on bamboo, which supported Japanese life and brightly illuminated the lives of people around the world.
The Japanese beauty associated with bamboo, and the versatility of bamboo, which can flexibly change its form.
The wisdom of bag-making cultivated by Yoshida Kaban is infused into it, illuminating the lives of its users.
The Yoshida Kaban team is globally recognized, but instead of focusing on a reverse-import evaluation from overseas, they once again, as Japanese people, directly confronted the material and its story.
I think that's what "FILAMENT" is all about.
When you hold the actual product, it has a really nice look.
Please check it out.
Tomorrow, I'll introduce OLDNEW for the last time.