Feature

Ecoasu umaji village's Wooden Bags

Ecoasu Wooden Bags are made from thinned Yanase cedar grown in the forests of Umaji Village, Kochi Prefecture. They combine lightness, durability, and the beauty of natural wood. They are practical for business situations, and the wood's texture deepens with use. They are also imbued with a commitment to forest conservation.

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What are Ecoasu Wooden Bags?

Ecoasu Wooden Bags are wooden bags made using a unique method of thinly slicing high-quality Yanase cedar and layering it to form multiple pieces. Lightweight yet durable, they feature features designed for everyday use, such as a water-repellent coating, double zipper, and inner pocket. Because they are made from natural materials, each bag's grain is unique, and over time, they will develop a unique look.

(1) Cutting Cedar Wood Thinned in the Mountains of Umaji Village

Thinned cedar wood (green lumber) from the mountains of Umaji Village is shipped to a lumberyard (market) within the prefecture. It is then cut to a size of 130mm x 130mm x 4,000mm at a sawmill in Umaji Village, and then further cut from 4,000mm to 2,000mm at the manufacturing factory.

(2) Pressing

Four 130mm x 130mm x 2,000mm square lumber pieces are stacked and pressed together using glue and pressure from three directions to form a set of four. Knots in wood are weak and brittle, so by joining them together, their strength is increased.

(3) Boiling

Sets of four cedar pieces are placed in 90°C water and boiled for 10 hours. This removes excess glue and excess glue components from the wood, softening the wood and making it easier to slice.

(4) Slicing

The boiled cedar pieces are sliced into 0.5mm pieces using a machine similar to a carpenter's plane. A set of four pieces, measuring 130mm x 130mm x 2,000mm, produces approximately 200 slices of product-quality cedar.

(5) Cutting to Size and Gluing

The sliced cedar pieces are cut to size and glued to fit the product. They are then stacked in six layers, with the grain alternating. The glue used in this process meets the standards of the Food Sanitation Act to ensure no harm to humans even if a child accidentally puts the product in their mouth.

(6) Press Molding

Six layers of cedar wood are placed in a mold appropriate for the type of bag and pressed into shape using heat and steam.

(7) Polishing

The surface of the molded veneer is sanded with a file. Simply molding leaves the surface rough, and painting without painting can result in uneven color or bleeding. Therefore, the surface is polished to remove any roughness. Each piece is meticulously polished by hand, with artisans carefully examining the grain of each piece, taking approximately 40 minutes per piece.

(8) Painting and Waterproofing

The veneer is painted (in plain, tannin, brown, or black) using urethane paint, and a waterproof finish is applied as a final step.

(9) Sewing

The veneer is sewn together with fabrics such as cotton canvas or natural leather to create the bag. The technique of sewing directly onto wood to create bags is unique to Umajimura. "We even modify the sewing machine to increase its strength," says producer Ueharu.

(10) Inspection and Finishing

After inspection and finishing, the bag is complete.

What makes this manufacturer's products so special

Made with thinned Yanase cedar from Umaji Village, Kochi Prefecture, these bags are both lightweight and durable.
Using a unique technique that slices cedar into 0.5mm pieces, layers the grain alternately, and press-moldes them.
Sewing directly onto wood with a sewing machine is a rare technique in the world.
1% of sales is donated to forest conservation, promoting recycling-oriented manufacturing that nurtures forests.

Wooden bag monacca kaku Persimmon Tannin Mocha

$326

Wooden bag monacca kaku-shou Tannin

$280

Wooden bag monacca kaku-shou Plain

$260

Wooden bag monacca Postman Brown

$350

Wooden bag monacca Brown (with shoulder strap)

$373

Wooden bag monacca kaku Black (with shoulder strap)

$524

Wooden bag monacca Brown

$308

Wooden bag monacca kaku Plain

$280

Wooden bag monacca postman Plain

$350

The workshop

Ecoasu Umaji Village, Japan

Umaji Village in Kochi Prefecture is one of Japan's most forested villages, with 96% of the village covered by forests. Ecoasu Umaji Village, the producer, has faced the challenges of forestry decline and forest depletion, building a recycling-oriented system to protect forests through the creation of products made from thinned wood. One representative example of this initiative is wooden bags made using Yanase cedar. A portion of sales is donated to forests, promoting thinning and nurturing them. These efforts are supported jointly by the village office and local residents. Each bag is imbued with a desire to live in harmony with nature and pass on the forest to future generations.

Use cases

As a business bag for carrying a laptop and documents.
As an everyday bag for business trips and commuting.
In public settings where environmental considerations are required (used at the Hokkaido Toyako Summit Secretariat).
As an outing bag for a wide range of occasions, from casual to formal.

FAQ

Is it okay to get it wet?

It has a water-repellent coating, so even if it gets wet, you can wipe it dry.

Will it crack even though it's made of wood?

Because it's made by layering thinly sliced cedar, it's less likely to crack and is more durable than a solid board.

Will the wood grain be the same?

Because it's a natural material, the grain varies from piece to piece, making each piece unique.