Hello.
This is Noguchi from CASANOVA&CO.
I was actually supposed to post this yesterday, but due to various reasons, it ended up being today.
My apologies.
Today, I'll also be talking about this event.
LUGGAGE LABEL limited store -Onkochishin-
2025.12.06(SAT) ~ 2025.12.14(SUN)
Today, we're featuring OLDNEW, one of the three series.
Although it's the last one I'm introducing, this OLDNEW was the first one from the new LUGGAGE LABEL to be announced to the world.
As I wrote in my first blog post, I only learned about OLDNEW about 14 months ago, but since then, many items/colors have been sold out on Yoshida Kaban's online store.
While this undoubtedly proves that OLDNEW is highly regarded by core customers, there's another major factor: production is incredibly challenging.
OLDNEW comes in two colors, as indicated in the title: Kakishibu (persimmon tannin dye) and Kure (sumi ink dye).
Both dyes are done at the "Oomae" dyeing studio in Shiga Prefecture, but this dyeing process is truly difficult.
As you can see when you look at the real thing, OLDNEW uses a material that sandwiches batting with nylon fabric.
The batting makes it tricky, as it absorbs a lot of dye liquid during manual dyeing, making each bag quite heavy.
They dye it by putting their entire weight to push the color in, then wring out the excess dye liquid.
This process is incredibly difficult.
Not only are they dyeing a material that is already difficult to dye, but the weight and stiffness also make it difficult to wring out.
Furthermore, the drying process that follows is also very important.
Kakishibu and kure dyeing develop their colors by being exposed to UV light during the drying process, which means it's a battle against nature.
The amount of UV light, as well as temperature and wind conditions, change constantly depending on the weather and season.
That's why Oomae-san carries out the drying process in a greenhouse.
It's a surreal and cool sight, isn't it? (laughs)
Although the conditions are somewhat stable inside this greenhouse, the drying process requires constantly adjusting the angle and direction depending on how dry it needs to be.
Once dry, the entire process is repeated for a second dyeing.
It's a very painstaking process, and you can clearly understand why production isn't stable due to the seasons and weather.
Furthermore, because natural dyes are applied by hand and it's a battle against nature, color unevenness is inevitable in the finished products.
While this color unevenness is part of the charm of the dyeing, Yoshida Kaban aims for as uniform a finish as possible, and sometimes products that have been dyed do not meet Yoshida Kaban's product standards.
I don't intend to directly equate doing something difficult with it being great or good, but considering the company's size and the scale of production required, I truly believe that Yoshida Kaban's challenge in undertaking such a task is highly significant.
And above all, it makes me very happy that we can introduce them to everyone in places like ours.
I think there's a lot to ponder here.
Now, let me introduce each model.
LUGGAGE LABEL
"OLDNEW" NEWSPAPER BAG(L)
color _ kakishibu
LUGGAGE LABEL
"OLDNEW" NEWSPAPER BAG(L)
color _ kure
First up is the NEWSPAPER BAG (L).
This is the largest bag in the OLDNEW series.
Oh, and the Kakishibu-dyed one in these photos is a sample, so there are some differences from the actual product, such as the logo embroidery.
Please consider the Kure-dyed one as the correct product.
The basic structure is the same regardless of size, so I'll show you the details with photos of the Kakishibu-dyed NEWSPAPER BAG.
When you open the flap, you'll see a snap and a strap like this.
You can close the bag's opening with the strap, and the flap can also be adjusted in two stages depending on the amount of luggage.
You'll rarely find a bag that is sewn this meticulously.
Furthermore, it's almost extraordinary how OLDNEW, despite being garment-dyed, has such a clean appearance.
On the back of the snap, there's a reinforcing stitch to withstand the stress of opening and closing.
The product design anticipates user behavior.
Yoshida Kaban "sees" it.
Also, regarding color variation.
With kakishibu dye and kure dye, the brighter kakishibu dye naturally shows more color variation.
Because of that, it has a very impactful look, which I imagine is irresistible to those who appreciate it.
On the other hand, kure dye has a deep charcoal gray hue, so the color variations are subdued like this.
However, kure dye will also change in color from here, so its characteristics are similar to kakishibu, yet different.
It looks like this when carried.
It's big enough to easily hold enough for about a two-night trip.
For men, the bigger the bag, the cooler it looks, right?
It's perfectly fine to carry just your phone, wallet, and cigarettes in this bag.
LUGGAGE LABEL
"OLDNEW" NEWSPAPER BAG
color _ kakishibu
LUGGAGE LABEL
"OLDNEW" NEWSPAPER BAG
color _ kure
The smaller NEWSPAPER BAG.
Regarding this one, the Kure dye is the sample.
The basic structure is the same as the large one, but the shoulder strap rope is a bit shorter.
The Kure dye sample has a slightly longer strap, but the Kakishibu one is the correct length.
The rope length is about this much.
Although it's just a sample, the Kure dye model is roughly this size.
This NEWSPAPER BAG is roughly the size to fit a 13-inch laptop.
This size might be best if you're carrying work or study essentials.
LUGGAGE LABEL
"OLDNEW" SHOULDER BAG
color _ kakishibu
LUGGAGE LABEL
"OLDNEW" SHOULDER BAG
color _ kure
And this is the SHOULDER BAG.
The "kure" dye is what I personally use.
The rope used for the strap is also incredibly dense, with a tremendous amount of thread fraying from the knots.
The persimmon tannin dye makes it quite stiff, but it will soften and blend in with the main fabric the more you use it.
Though small for a bag, it definitely impacts one's style.
Just carrying this will give you a lot of credibility, I think.
When I first saw OLDNEW, I felt a strong sense of Japan in the nuances of the dye, the feel of the rope, and the stitch work. At the same time, it looked like a bag made by some obscure artisan brand from a foreign country, and the balance of Yoshida Kaban making it felt incredibly fresh.
Yoshida Kaban is highly regarded worldwide and sold in prominent overseas select shops. However, instead of being swayed by this global recognition, they once again paid homage to traditional Japanese craftsmanship, incorporating their own wisdom and technology to create a product of such high quality.
Furthermore, they adopted a style of selling it at their own directly managed stores, without much external exposure until now.
Everything about it is incredibly cool.
Therefore, it is a tremendous honor for CASANOVA&CO to participate in this initiative, and above all, I am overjoyed to be able to introduce a bag I personally love so much to everyone through this opportunity.
...I sound like I'm wrapping things up, but there's one more type. Lol
LUGGAGE LABEL
"OLDNEW" RUCKSACK
color _ kakishibu
LUGGAGE LABEL
"OLDNEW" RUCKSACK
color _ kure
This is the only backpack type in the current new LUGGAGE LABEL lineup.
The top has a flap for a lid, and the opening can be cinched like a drawstring bag with a drawcord.
The flap is secured with double rings, just like the other bags.
The zigzag stitching on this strap truly impresses me; it shows an understanding of user behavior and bag characteristics.
The mood emanating from this stitching is incredible, isn't it?
Visibly robust.
A mass of security.
It's like carrying peace of mind on your back.
Of course, the shoulder straps are also adjustable.
Structurally, it will fit better if you carry it a bit closer to your body rather than in a low position.
So, please use this adjuster to carry it comfortably.
The persimmon tannin dye is quite crisp, and when new, it might feel a bit stiff due to its rigidity. However, the more you use it, the better it will blend in, so using it diligently is key.
For the "kure" dye, in addition to the persimmon tannin dye, it's dyed with wood vinegar, which turns it black through a chemical reaction between tannins and iron. This process involves a strong odor, so a water washing step is added.
This water washing process makes it softer than the persimmon tannin dye, so the "kure" dye should feel comfortable right from the start.
Both have quite distinct vibes.
I hope you'll pick them up and experience the difference in their atmosphere for yourself.
These are all the bags we'll be showcasing at this event.
While some OLDNEW items are so difficult to produce that they're made-to-order, I believe this is a rare opportunity to see the full lineup of the three series that LUGGAGE LABEL created under the theme of "Learning from the Past, Creating the New."
90 years of accumulated history and technology, the philosophy of "one stitch, one soul," and ancient Japanese wisdom and tradition.
A new LUGGAGE LABEL, fusing that with the modern sensibilities of Yoshida Kaban.
We hope you'll come and see them.
Starting tomorrow, we look forward to welcoming you with the Yoshida Kaban team.