For over 20 years, Munekawa has been continuously crafting leather accessories and products from genuine leather in Daikokucho, Osaka.

Some of these products have been cherished and chosen for more than two decades.

However, even products that have been sold for over 20 years are not necessarily sold in exactly the same form.

Based on feedback about usability heard in stores and improvements noticed during manufacturing, we incrementally adjust subtle aspects that users might not notice, such as leather thickness, stitching placement, part shapes, and how items fit when stored.

In this blog post, we will explain why Munekawa products are gradually improved.

Reasons for Munekawa's Unique Product Improvements

"Creator's Perspective" and "User's Perspective"

Munekawa's production staff actually use the products they create in their daily lives.

Even things that were thought to be "the most user-friendly design" when being crafted for work, start to be perceived differently after years of personal use.

Details such as how the corners rub when taken out of a pocket daily, or how a strap settles on the shoulder during a commute, which were unnoticed on the workbench, become apparent only in daily life.

What was once confidently believed to be "the most rational structure" from a creator's perspective transforms into the realization that "a slight modification here would better integrate with daily movements" when viewed from a user's perspective. This iterative process is the starting point for Munekawa's improvements.

Because the people who create the products are also the ones who use them, we can address nuanced aspects that cannot be captured solely by blueprints or specifications. We believe this is a unique strength of Munekawa, which continues to produce in a small workshop.

▶︎Related Article: "Munekawa Staff Recommended Items: Introducing Munekawa products cherished by our production staff and representative, Munekawa."

User Feedback as a Catalyst for Improvement

Munekawa, including its representative Mr. Munekawa, is a team of six people who handle everything from product planning, manufacturing, and sales to customer service at our directly managed stores, and the management and operation of our website and social media.

One unique characteristic of Munekawa, made possible by operating everything with a small team, is the ability to "reflect customer feedback in product creation."

"After using it for a long time, this part started to bother me."

"The storage capacity is sufficient, but I want to make it smoother to take things in and out."

Such feedback, received at our directly managed stores, department store events, and sometimes even in comments on social media and YouTube, serves as a crucial impetus for reviewing our products.

And because the people who hear this feedback are the creators themselves, it is easy to share each opinion and reflect it in subsequent production. This agility is one of the hallmarks of Munekawa's craftsmanship.

▶︎Related Article: "Munekawa’s Craftsmanship – What Munekawa Values in Manufacturing"

The Evolution of Product Improvements

Here, we will briefly introduce the journey of improvements made to some of the products currently sold by Munekawa.

Slim Bi-fold Wallet "Carriage"

The slim bi-fold wallet "Carriage" is one of Munekawa's long-standing staples. It's a simple money clip-inspired wallet designed for bills and cards.

In recent renovations, we first re-evaluated the stitching locations. Areas where the leather folds are prone to stress, which could lead to thread breakage over time.

By intentionally eliminating stitching in these areas, we improved its durability against thread breakage even after many years of use.

Additionally, the inner material was changed to supple and abrasion-resistant Japanese pigskin.

Originally, the interior also used the same Butero leather as the exterior, but by using pigskin, we were able to reduce the number of stitched areas.

While there are no major visual changes, the Carriage's signature slimness for carrying bills and cards remains, and it can now be used with greater peace of mind for longer periods.

▶︎Click here for the product page of the slim bi-fold wallet "Carriage"

Shoulder Bag "Caddis"

The "Caddis" shoulder bag, which combines water-repellent canvas and leather, has also been reviewed for specifications to enhance usability.

Compared to the previous specifications, the width was increased by 2 cm and the gusset by 1 cm, enhancing storage capacity and making it easier to insert and remove items like files and folding umbrellas.

Additionally, the flap was extended by 4 cm and narrowed by approximately 2 cm, creating a shape that securely covers the contents while not interfering with the shoulder strap.

Furthermore, a new pocket was added inside the front pocket, making it easier to separate and store small items frequently taken in and out, such as card cases and coin cases. Doubling the fabric at the opening is another subtle improvement to make loading and unloading easier.

The overall silhouette and impression when carried remain the same, but it has been renewed to be "easier to access."

▶︎Click here for the product page of the shoulder bag "Caddis"

L-shaped Zipper Wallet "Cram"

The L-shaped zipper wallet "Cram" is a compact wallet that can hold bills, coins, and cards. The structure, which allows bills to be inserted in a U-shape under the coin purse, prevents bills from getting caught in the zipper and makes it easy to see the contents without opening the wallet wide.

In recent years, the options for specifications have expanded to match various uses. The "Cram sleeve", which has sleeve pockets on both the left and right sides, allows cards to be stored together on each side. It retains the compactness of the standard Cram while offering greater flexibility in card storage.

Also, the zipper uses YKK's EXCELLA. The zipper, with its polished metal parts, is a bit stiff at first but becomes smoother with use. Even a change in zipper color, such as gold or silver, can subtly alter the wallet's impression.

▶︎Click here for the L-shaped zipper wallet "Cram" series lineup

Gradually Changing to Stay the Same

Continuing to produce classic products does not mean changing nothing at all.

To ensure long-term use, we make them more durable. We make them easier to repair. We reduce small stresses when taking things in and out. We adjust the fit to accommodate necessary storage capacity. By incrementally improving these subtle aspects, classics continue to be tools that suit contemporary life.

Munekawa's products are born from a close relationship between creators and users within a small-scale production system. Feedback heard in stores and insights gained during manufacturing are reflected in subsequent products. This cycle ensures that even products with the same name gradually evolve to be more user-friendly.

Even within classics that appear largely unchanged, there are small, daily improvements. To create products that can be used for a long time, we intend to continue our unique Munekawa craftsmanship, constantly reviewing what is necessary.

Munekawa is a leather product brand with a directly managed store and production workshop in Daikokucho, Osaka. We craft and sell simple leather accessories that pursue the natural texture of leather and functional usability.
If you are interested in Munekawa products, looking for a genuine leather gift, or unsure what type of leather product suits you, please feel free to consult us.

Email inquiries and visits to our directly managed store are welcome. We look forward to serving you.

▶︎Click here for details about Munekawa's directly managed store in Daikokucho, Osaka
▶︎Contact us here