"Itadakimasu" (thank you for the meal) expresses gratitude for giving life to the foodstuffs as one's own, and respect for all those who work with the foodstuffs. "AKAN LEATHER," a brand based in Lake Akan in eastern Hokkaido, has created a garment with the hope that "people will have the same feeling of itadakimasu when wearing it."

STOP DISPOSAL! Yezo deer leather is amazing!

The number of Ezo deer living in Hokkaido is increasing year by year, affecting agriculture, forestry, traffic obstruction, etc. Furthermore, many of the Ezo deer skins that are exterminated to limit the number of deer are discarded as industrial waste. However, "AKAN LEATHER" was launched with the aim of making use of these Ezo deer skins instead of disposing of them.

First of all, deerskin is very valuable worldwide. It is rich in oil and has excellent durability. It is soft and moist, but also very strong. It also has the property of absorbing moisture, so it does not get stuffy and has good breathability, so it is also called "silk of the leather world." Deerskin has been used in Japan for over 1,300 years, and about 80% of the leather products in the Shosoin Repository of Todaiji Temple are made from deerskin!

The key visual models are Ainu artist Hideo Akibe and "imma", Asia's first virtual human who loves the earth and animals and is active around the world.

Cool design by Kenta Takaya, president of Kansai Yamamoto Design Office

The newly announced "AKAN LEATHER flagship model ALK series" was designed and produced by Takaya Kenta, the representative and designer of the design office of the late Kansai Yamamoto, a world-renowned fashion designer representing Japan, with Ainu artist Hideo Akibe, who lives in Lake Akan, as an advisor.

Suitable for both men and women, ALK001 will be available for pre-order on the EC site from the end of March 2023, with only 5 pieces available in each size (36, 38, 40, 42, 44).

Although it is a simple double rider jacket, the inside cover features the Ainu pattern, which is the symbol of "AKAN LEATHER". Taking advantage of the characteristics of light and soft deerskin, it fits the wearer's body and can be worn casually both in the city and in nature.

Kenta Takaya, the designer who was in charge of design and production for this project, had this to say:

"AKAN LEATHER" is aiming to open a store in Akanko Onsen 4-chome around Golden Week 2023. We can't wait to see what happens next. Be sure to check it out.