Among Matsunoya's original brand "THREAD-LINE," we will particularly introduce the story of creating the highly popular Matsunoya Heavy Canvas Tool Tote and its history.
What are "Aramono, or Miscellaneous Household Items?"
Matsunoya was founded in 1945, the year Japan experienced defeat in WWII. It is a wholesaler of miscellaneous household items, or Aramono, based in Tokyo that mainly sold bags as a wholesaler during its inception. Although "Aramono" (hardware) is a term that is rarely used nowadays, it refers to items such as Japanese-style brooms made from broom grass, galvanized iron dustpan, baskets, colanders, or any everyday household goods found in any Japanese home. Amid the frugal lifestyle brought about after WWII, Japanese people tend to often say, "how wasteful" to everything. This changed to an era when people led respectable lifestyles that instilled the concept of "valuing things they use," no matter how poor they were. Such a lifestyle continued for a long period, cultivating "Japan's skills and experience to create goods."
Matsunoya considers such "Aramono" as everyday items that are created by hand. They are not "handicrafts for the masses," but miscellaneous goods for the masses intended for everybody's daily lives. The items can be purchased at the right price level that is neither expensive nor too affordable. They are heavy-duty items with sturdy and long-lasting characteristics. Every Matsunoya "Aramono" boasts high functionality that can be used easily as an everyday item for many years. Recently, they have also gained a reputation overseas for creating goods that are neither "the best" nor "better," but nicely created.
"Aramono (miscellaneous items for everyday living)" display at Japan House London, 1 March – 22 June, 2023. The large wheeled-cart replicates the way that household goods were sold by street vendors in Meiji-period (1868-1912) Japan. (Photo credit: Japan House London)
A display of "Aramono (miscellaneous items for everyday living)" was on show at Japan House London in the UK from March 1, 2023, through June 22. The reproduction wooden cart, which would have been used by merchants for carrying goods was a popular part of this display. Also, an event titled "Aramono - Miscellaneous Household Items and Their Makers: Talk by Matsuno Hiroshi" was held during the display period. This talk event was led by Matsunoya's owner, Mr. Matsuno Hiroshi.
Matsunoya Heavy Canvas Tool Tote
Matsunoya utilizes its expertise and experience as a wholesaler that continued traveling to various regions over the years to procure everyday goods whose production methods have never changed since former times. Its goods creating capabilities are now receiving a great amount of attention worldwide.
In 1995, Matsunoya started its original brand, "THREAD-LINE," which includes the "Matsunoya Heavy Canvas Tool Tote." They have manufactured bags of various sizes made from sturdy canvas, along with small leather accessories. The "Matsunoya Heavy Canvas Tool Tote" has particularly gained high popularity among its lineup and has been produced. It's based on the heavy duty bags that artisans use for carrying tools and has a total of 9 pockets of varying sizes on the inner and outer sides. You can enjoy Matsunoya's distinct goods-creating emphasis of combining the bag's functionality and design.
The "Matsunoya Heavy Canvas Tool Tote" features a wide gusset for easily storing items. The bag's opening can be secured with a rugged swivel hook for easily removing or placing items, instead of using a fastener. The fabric's canvas is 100% woven in Kurashiki for its world-renown canvas materials and the bags are finished by artisans in Tokyo.
Techniques of Artisans Who Create Canvas Material in Kurashiki
The "Matsunoya Heavy Canvas Tool Tote" is made from canvas that was woven by "MARUSHIN INDUSTRY" of Kurashiki in Okayama Prefecture. At the time of its inception in 1888, it started weaving textiles as its business. It established "MARUSHIN INDUSTRY Co., Ltd" in 1944 and continued producing canvas material in Kurashiki for over a century. To this day, MARUSHIN INDUSTRY continues the entire manufacturing process at its factory in Kurashiki.
MARUSHIN INDUSTRY starts with manufacturing yarn that is used for its canvas material. It creates flexible yet rugged yarn by intertwining multiple 100% cotton threads. Durability is required for weaving canvas. It reduces fuzzing and a durable yarn is created. The intertwining techniques of highly skilled artisans have been acquired from Kurashiki.
The fabric is woven using "shuttle-weaving machinery" that is very rare nowadays. The daily amount of fabric produced by each machine is approximately 50 - 70 meters (164 - 230 ft) for 8 production hours. By taking the time to weave the canvas material, it adds a defined texture to it.
Foreign-made canvas material is technically classified as "cotton cloth" and not "canvas" material. On the other hand, Kurashiki canvas is woven into durable yarn that uses multiple intertwined cotton threads. The woven product features a thick fabric with a plain-weave pattern that weighs at least 8 oz per square meter (or 6.69 oz per square yard). The top-class canvas material has the world's best quality that long tradition and skilled artisans can offer.
100% Cotton Canvas Offers Change through Age that You Can Enjoy
100% cotton canvas material becomes softer with every use and wash. If it gets stained, fill a bucket full of water and use a scrubber (use one made from soft material!) to clean it.
Due to the canvas material's nature, the nep (tangled bundles of fiber) in raw cotton produces a yellowish hue when the pigment seeps out during a wash. After washing, thoroughly rinse the product in lukewarm water repeatedly while changing the water. For tough stains, we recommend handwashing it by pushing it up and down in the water using a mild detergent. Do not use a washing machine or tumble dryer, as it will cause warping. Please handwash the product. By applying waterproofing spray on the surfaces before use, the coating will protect the product from stains. The Matsunoya Heavy Canvas Tool Tote is characterized by sturdiness and ease of use, along with a simple design. It's a signature item of Matsunoya that allows change through age with its user and harmonizes with his/her character.
