Munekawa's leather products are given names that are English words, some of which may be unfamiliar. Some of you may have wondered, "What do they mean?" when you first saw them.
Many of these names are derived from the actions taken when using the product or from the structure of the product itself.
Understanding the meaning of the name reveals why the product is shaped the way it is. This time, we will introduce three of Munekawa's leather wallets and the meaning and stories behind their names.
The intention behind craftsmanship embodied in names: The meaning behind Munekawa product names
First, we introduce the L-shaped zipper wallet, "Cram."
Despite its palm size, it can store coins, cards, and bills. When the zipper is opened, it's a mini-wallet designed to allow you to see at a glance what's inside and where everything is.
The name Cram is taken from the English word meaning "to pack" or "to stuff."
The impetus for creating Cram came from a request from a select shop that carries Munekawa products: "Could you make a compact L-shaped zipper wallet?"
At the time, compact L-shaped zipper wallets were just starting to appear on the market, and there were issues such as insufficient capacity due to their small size, or the zipper catching on bills when inserting or removing them.
Cram embodies the desire to create a wallet that is small yet holds a lot and is easy to use, without the inconvenience of those issues.
Initially, "Clam" (meaning a bivalve) was also considered as a candidate due to its similar sound to Cram, as the two pieces of leather joined together resembled a shell. However, Cram was chosen because it was believed to better convey the maker's thought, "It would be convenient to have a wallet like this."
I feel this naming perfectly reflects Munekawa, which handles everything from product planning to manufacturing with a small team.
Wedge — From the action of "wedging in" bills
Next is the slim mini-wallet, "Wedge."
Weighing about 22g, it's thin enough to slip into a shirt or pant pocket, holding three cards and five to six folded bills. It's a popular item for those who are cashless-centric and need only the essentials.
There's a V-shaped tool called a "wedge" used to split wood or stone by driving it into cracks. Wedge was named because the act of slipping bills between two leather parts as if splitting them resembles using a wedge.
The name directly comes from the rough, smooth usability of simply sliding bills in without using zippers or snap buttons.
On a side note, a foreign business partner once told me that "Wedge" also means "money" in the UK.
It wasn't intentional, but it's a very interesting coincidence for a wallet's name.
Carriage — For graceful movement
Finally, we introduce the slim bi-fold wallet, "Carriage." It is a bi-fold wallet that holds bills like a money clip.
Born from customer requests for "a compact wallet that can also hold cards securely," it's a long-selling item at Munekawa.
Carriage was named with connotations of "demeanor" or "bearing," associating it with these meanings.
The reason lies in its structure: asymmetric leather parts hold bills in place, preventing them from falling out while allowing for smooth, fluid retrieval.
The question of "whether the user can use it smoothly and smartly" is also a crucial point in Munekawa's product creation.
Furthermore, because no metal fittings other than the snap or core materials are used, the thickness settles to about 9mm once the leather has adapted, allowing it to fit thinly into a pocket. Carriage is derived from "carry," making it a perfect name for a tool that carries valuables.
Taking a thin wallet out of your pocket and handling bills and cards smartly. This series of actions leads to graceful movement. Perhaps it can be said that the name is related to "the experience the product aims for itself."
▶︎Click here for details on the slim bi-fold wallet Carriage
So that the intention of the maker can be felt from the name
Each name carries a wish: "I want the person using this wallet to experience it this way." Perhaps seeing it after knowing the meaning of its name will change your perspective a little.
Many other Munekawa products also have names with interesting origins. I hope to introduce those stories again in the future.
When you see them in our online store or directly managed store, please pick them up while recalling the origin of their names.
Munekawa is a leather product brand with a directly managed store and workshop in Daikokucho, Osaka. We produce 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 "don't know what kind 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 your visit.
▶︎Click here for details on Munekawa's directly managed store in Daikokucho, Osaka
