Le Bonheur, a specialty store of leather bags in Rokkoh Island, Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. Master and Mistress, means his partner have thoroughly managed the store. Then, they were interviewed and that goes on below.


－Now, can I start the interview?

Master: You can.

－We are featuring various kinds of things made in Japan. Then, do you usually use Japanese leather at Le Bonheur?

Master: Hardly. Since Japanese leather is bad at tanning. Tanning means changing some hide into leather. Or hides putrefy soon.


－So you never use Japanese leather here?

Master: Some of Japanese pigskin are good. So come on see this. ( in showing me a bag of pigskin, manufactured at Le Bonheur.)


－Sure. How come Japanese leather is bad?

Master: Because they don’t spend time enough to tan in Japan. Overseas, some spend six months to tan. In Japan, some spend just an hour by automation. It, however, is not that all tanners abroad are good. So we have cautiously chosen good leather and used.


－You have seen and dealt with various sorts of leather for work. It may be a silly question, but let me ask. What is the all-time best leather in your work?

Master: Of course, what we have used has severally had original goodness. In past, leather tanned by Borge in Sweden, was very good because it was very graceful. Regrettably they closed down about ten years ago.


－Anywhere, it is difficult to keep good things. By the way, both of you have produced leather bags. Tell me each good point of your partner.

Master: She is so talented.

Mistress: I think that his approach has been so interesting. Not in general in other words. On manufacturing leather bags, his ideas must be unique.


－Finally, tell me why you have kept leatherwork. With using other materials, bags can be manufactured.

Master: Because our careers started from loving leather.

Mistress: We have loved the touch of leather. We love leather of sheep, cattle and so on, after all.


－I have gotten it. Thanks.

Master and Mistress: Thanks.