Kumihimo Primary Function: Canteyê Bendkêş by Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd.

Kumihimo Primary Function: Canteyê Bendkêş by Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd. is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2026 Xelata A' Design Award a Platîn in Dîzayna Aksesuarên Moda û Rêwîtiyê Competition Category.

PlatînAksesuar· 2026

Kumihimo Primary Function: Canteyê Bendkêş

by Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd.

Client: Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd.

Xelata A' Design Award a Platîn Winner in Aksesuar Category

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Verified Award Winner
Verify Award Status for #180948

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Colors

The Design

About Kumihimo Primary Function: Canteyê Bendkêş

Book Text: Ev cante Kumihimo ji nû ve dihizirîne, ku teknîkek kevneşopî ya hûnandina Japonî ye ji serdema Edo. Bi guhertina dirûtinê bi bendên hûnandî yên bawerpê, sêwirandin hem hêza avahîsazî û hem jî nermbûnê bi dest dixe. Şeklê mînîmalîst hunermendiyê derdixe pêş, dema ku avahî Musubi pêk tîne, felsefeya Japonî ya girêdana giyanî û fizîkî. Ev parçe bi awayekî bêkêmasî bedewiya dîrokî di jiyana rojane ya nûjen de yek dike, û girêdana di navbera tişt û xwediyê wî de pîroz dike.

The Recognition

About the Xelata A' Design Award a Platîn

Kumihimo Primary Function: Canteyê Bendkêş xelatgirê Xelata A' Design Award a Platîn e, nasîneke pir bi prestîj ku ji sêwiranên bi rastî awarte, xweşik û bi heybet re tê dayîn. Xelatgirên Platînê ecêbên afirandinê ne, şahidiya sînorên afirînerîya hişî ne û pîşekarî û jêhatîbûna bêhempa ya sêwiranerên xwe nîşan didin. Tê hêvîkirin ku ev sêwiran karên herî navdar bin, yên ku bedewiya serdemekê diyar dikin, ji bo başiya civakê tevkarî dikin û sînorên huner, zanist, sêwiran û teknolojiyê fireh dikin. Kumihimo Primary Function: Canteyê Bendkêş bilindbûna ji asta asayî derbasbûyî nîşan dide û bi taybetmendiyên xwe yên bikêr dinyayê çêtir dike. Kumihimo Primary Function: Canteyê Bendkêş berhemeke bi Xelata A' Design Award a Platîn serketî ye ku daxwazan şiyar dike, îlham dide, kêfxweş dike û şahiyeke mezin çêdike.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: Reinterpreting "KUMIHIMO" from the Edo period-a Japanese historical era (1603-1867), this bag features durability and flexibility through braiding. Minimalist design highlights the pure beauty of the technique. The structure symbolizes "MUSUBI," a concept signifying both physical links and spiritual bonds in Japanese. By joining leather parts with these cords, the design reflects this spirituality, delivering traditional beauty to daily life.
Dimensions & Packaging: Size: H 210 × W 190 × D 150 mm
Handle Height: 105 mm (Metal Fittings), 150 mm (Drawstring Cords)
Tags: Traditional Crafts, Kinchaku, Kumihimo, Craftsmanship, Leather, Japan, Repairable
Production Technology: A work filled with our workshop's craftsmanship.
Consisting of 20 precision leather parts, this bag uses hidden stitching and manual thread finishing to highlight the KUMIHIMO's beauty. Edge-painting on all 100 holes ensures both friction reduction and beauty. The cords were made by the craftsperson Ryuta Fukuda. The fusion of Tsuchiya Kaban’s leather craft and Fukuda’s expertise breathes soul into every detail, embodying the value of traditional craft.
Design Challenge: The challenge of this project was to integrate traditional Kumihimo into a daily bag, balancing harmony with leather and functional beauty. To resolve this, we adjusted the placement of parts by hand in millimeter increments. We strictly managed sewing precision and repeatedly verified knot types and hardware shapes. As a result, we realized a design that fits modern lifestyles, harmonizing two distinct products into a single craft.
Research: Integrating traditional design into modern life.
By researching Kimono culture and modern bag usage, we identified "functionality, tactile feel, and visual balance" as key elements for daily integration. Through three prototyping rounds, we refined leather selection, hardware shape, and braiding to harmonize tradition with modern utility. This research-driven design creates a product ideal for daily use, effectively reaching audiences unfamiliar with traditional crafts.
Inspiration: A bag reinterpreting Japanese tradition for modern life.
This work reconstructs Kimono culture's beauty into a functional bag, harmonizing traditional aesthetics with daily life. Instead of applying crafts as they are, we refined the design to blend into modern wardrobes, removing the distance felt toward traditional crafts. By integrating "KUMIHIMO" into the structure, we aimed to make craftsmanship feel accessible through a modern appeal that invites people to pick it up and experience it.
Project Duration: Started in June 2022 at Tsuchiya Kaban in Tokyo. Mass production was completed at the Tsuchiya Kaban workshop in January 2024, marking the end of the project. It is currently not for sale.
Operation Flow: A versatile bag designed for diverse styles and occasions.
This piece accents casual attire and functions as a sophisticated party bag for formal events. When paired with Kimono, it creates a modern look; its minimal yet deep design enhances any style. It offers two carrying options: a casual, relaxed style like a drawstring bag, and an elegant style using the original metal handle inspired by "Chagama" (a tea ceremony kettle), adding a unique touch to your movements.
Team Members: Traditional Craftsman (Kumihimo Braiding): Ryuta Fukuda