Passion for high-quality manufacturing

Introducing ESPOIR shrink leather.

ESPOIR is the product name for the shrink leather handled by our company, and it is a leather sold by the German tannery "WEINHEIMER." We have had a close relationship with Weinheimer GmbH since its predecessor, "Carl Freudenberg." NAGATANI's strong passion from the beginning was to bring back the highest quality leather to Japan and combine it with the delicate sewing and manufacturing techniques of Japanese craftsmen to spread excellent products, which led to us being supplied with ESPOIR, something that was difficult for Japanese manufacturers at the time.

Although it was already sold overseas as Odessa Calf, when we started our business, it was given the name "ESPOIR," meaning "hope," for the Japanese market.

ESPOIR is a material meticulously selected from calves raised with great care at the foot of the Alps, with a focus on their rearing environment. Only calfskin, defined in Europe as leather from calves under six months old, is used. Furthermore, the crucial "tanning" process, which determines the quality of the leather, employs a traditional method combining both vegetable and chrome tanning to produce this material, resulting in a supple and soft texture. Among the shrink leathers produced by Weinheimer, ESPOIR is renowned as the highest-grade product and is a deeply cherished material, rebranded by luxury brands worldwide.

NAGATANI's Sewing Techniques

 

All products sold by NAGATANI are made in the NAGATANI workshop. Our skilled craftsmen proudly hand-finish each item, from the design that maximizes the unique characteristics (thickness, firmness, texture, etc.) of high-quality leathers from Japan and abroad, including ESPOIR shrink leather, to the selection of leather, cutting, and sewing. We aim to create a website where you can discover a truly special item, pursuing timeless designs and genuine ease of use, as well as the joy felt each time you hold it.