HAMANO Inc.

HAMANO Inc. is a handbag manufacturer founded in 1880. It is known for making elegant handbags that are used and loved by members of the Japanese imperial family.

During the early modern period, Japan began shifting from its traditional lifestyle and dress to a more Western mode of life. The second President of HAMANO responded to this change by dispatching his craftsmen to France. There, they learned how to manufacture ladies’ belts in keeping with the latest global fashion trends. In the 1930s, the company began producing bags that both incorporated European designs and appealed to Japanese tastes. The third president was a polo player, and also a polo instructor to members of the Imperial family. Thanks to this, soon HAMANO’s elegant and high-quality handbags were cherished by the Imperial family, and fashion-conscious women began to seek them out. Then, as now, each was a masterpiece crafted from the finest materials by top-tier artisans.

HAMANO’s bag-making incorporates techniques and craftsmanship that it has refined over many generations. Its fundamental philosophy is “to craft fine products from the standpoint of the user.” Rather than efficiency, HAMANO’s priority is to create products that can be lovingly used for many years. Each bag is therefore made with the greatest care, then painstakingly and beautifully finished. 

Today, people everywhere recognize the importance of sustainability and consideration for the natural environment. Since its founding, HAMANO has used leather, which is a byproduct of meat processing. The company strives to be environmentally friendly, extend the useable life of its products, and help prevent food loss, including by using “apple leather” made from fruit that could not be shipped due to natural disasters.

Throughout its 140-year history, HAMANO Inc. has guarded the unchanged and unique traditions that allow it to make fine products using trusted techniques. Yet, it has always embraced innovation. The company will continue creating bags that proudly carry the “Made in Japan” mark.

HAMANO bags can be purchased via the company’s website or at its workshop in Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture. (Note that there are companies with names similar to HAMANO online. Please be careful before ordering.)

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