Inden Yabe Co., Ltd.
In 1999 (Heisei 11), he was officially recognized as a Traditional Craftsman of Katsushika Ward.
Inden Yabe has faithfully preserved the tradition of Inden craftsmanship since its founding in 1924 (Taisho 13), maintaining both the skill and spirit of this art to the present day.
Since 1966 (Showa 41), under the guidance of his predecessor, Yoshinobu Yabe began learning the techniques of Inden production and embarked on the path of full-scale craftsmanship. Since then, he has actively explored new patterns and expressions without being constrained by conventional designs, creating products that honor traditional Japanese beauty while harmonizing naturally with Western-style fashion and contemporary living spaces.
Inden is a craft created by applying lacquer to supple deerskin. Achieving an even coating and a beautifully fixed finish requires highly skilled techniques. The final result is particularly influenced by subtle environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, making years of experience and refined sensitivity indispensable.
Each piece is carefully crafted with meticulous attention to the material, resulting in the rich texture and profound charm unique to Inden. We invite you to fully appreciate the exceptional beauty of these handcrafted works.
Inden is a traditional Japanese leather craft in which smooth deerskin is decorated with lacquer patterns.
Deerskin has long been valued in Japan as a material that is strong, supple, and fits comfortably in the hand, becoming softer and richer in texture with use. By applying lacquer to create patterns, the warmth of the leather harmonizes with the glossy sheen of the lacquer, producing a distinctive texture found nowhere else.
The patterns range from traditional auspicious motifs, such as small cherry blossoms (kozakura), tortoise shell (kikkō), and seigaiha waves, to designs adapted for modern tastes. This careful balance preserves tradition while making Inden suitable for contemporary life.
Lightweight yet durable, Inden is used for everyday accessories as well as gifts, cherished across generations. Infused with Japanese aesthetic sensibility and meticulous craftsmanship, Inden combines practicality and beauty in a truly unique craft.
Inden is a traditional deerskin craft introduced from India some 400 years ago, originally using Indian chintz patterns applied with dye.
The technique was brought to Japan, where it was used for armor plates, helmet flaps, and the personal accessories of Sengoku-period warlords. Over centuries, it became part of everyday Japanese life, evolving from martial uses to functional daily items.
Later, Japanese artisans developed a unique process of applying lacquer to deerskin, and the introduction of colored lacquer expanded the range of patterns and expressions, creating increasingly decorative products.
Inden items range from traditional pieces such as Shingen bags, doumaki sashes, kinchaku pouches, coin purses, and tobacco cases, to modern items like wallets, clasp bags, handbags, and belts. The soft, carefully selected deerskin and the deep, lustrous finish of lacquer harmonize beautifully, creating timeless pieces cherished across generations.
Inden bi-fold wallet, oak leaf pattern
Inden Yabe Co., Ltd.
In 1999 (Heisei 11), he was officially recognized as a Traditional Craftsman of Katsushika Ward.
Inden Yabe has faithfully preserved the tradition of Inden craftsmanship since its founding in 1924 (Taisho 13), maintaining both the skill and spirit of this art to the present day.
Since 1966 (Showa 41), under the guidance of his predecessor, Yoshinobu Yabe began learning the techniques of Inden production and embarked on the path of full-scale craftsmanship. Since then, he has actively explored new patterns and expressions without being constrained by conventional designs, creating products that honor traditional Japanese beauty while harmonizing naturally with Western-style fashion and contemporary living spaces.
Inden is a craft created by applying lacquer to supple deerskin. Achieving an even coating and a beautifully fixed finish requires highly skilled techniques. The final result is particularly influenced by subtle environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, making years of experience and refined sensitivity indispensable.
Each piece is carefully crafted with meticulous attention to the material, resulting in the rich texture and profound charm unique to Inden. We invite you to fully appreciate the exceptional beauty of these handcrafted works.
Inden is a traditional Japanese leather craft in which smooth deerskin is decorated with lacquer patterns.
Deerskin has long been valued in Japan as a material that is strong, supple, and fits comfortably in the hand, becoming softer and richer in texture with use. By applying lacquer to create patterns, the warmth of the leather harmonizes with the glossy sheen of the lacquer, producing a distinctive texture found nowhere else.
The patterns range from traditional auspicious motifs, such as small cherry blossoms (kozakura), tortoise shell (kikkō), and seigaiha waves, to designs adapted for modern tastes. This careful balance preserves tradition while making Inden suitable for contemporary life.
Lightweight yet durable, Inden is used for everyday accessories as well as gifts, cherished across generations. Infused with Japanese aesthetic sensibility and meticulous craftsmanship, Inden combines practicality and beauty in a truly unique craft.
Inden is a traditional deerskin craft introduced from India some 400 years ago, originally using Indian chintz patterns applied with dye.
The technique was brought to Japan, where it was used for armor plates, helmet flaps, and the personal accessories of Sengoku-period warlords. Over centuries, it became part of everyday Japanese life, evolving from martial uses to functional daily items.
Later, Japanese artisans developed a unique process of applying lacquer to deerskin, and the introduction of colored lacquer expanded the range of patterns and expressions, creating increasingly decorative products.
Inden items range from traditional pieces such as Shingen bags, doumaki sashes, kinchaku pouches, coin purses, and tobacco cases, to modern items like wallets, clasp bags, handbags, and belts. The soft, carefully selected deerskin and the deep, lustrous finish of lacquer harmonize beautifully, creating timeless pieces cherished across generations.
