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Fire Hose Bags by Patina Japan
One-of-a-kind from Used Fire Hoses
Date:28, Jul, 2017
Investigated and Written by Misaka Youhei
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In Nara, there's Patina Japan that's produced and launched the bags made of used fire hoses. We, general users, have to get in touch with Patina Japan to purchase the unique bags, though they're sewn by the professionals in Osaka, Hyogo, Saitama and Kanagawa.

Well, I'd like you to remember the fire hoses closest to you. You can't call up at once, can you? It means that most of fire hoses don't feel the light and they must fade away being unused. Patina Japan was built for reusing them. I interviewed with Kojima Tadamasa, the Patina Japan representative. He talked about many like the process, the unique bags and more.



Mini Tote 16-2 (Black)
Size H 18cm W 28cm D 11cm
Price 8,964 YEN (tax in)

■ I'm glad seeing you. First, I heard you were fresh in the field of bags and fire hoses...

Kojima: No deny it. When I was 30 years old, I built Patina Japan. In my 20s, I'd belonged to those who pull down the buildings. We had to do away with the used fire hoses in a part of pulling down. But they were almost fresh at most of buildings. I couldn't stand the waste and then, tried to reuse them. For trial, I ordered to make them bags and sold those at an online shop. That made an unexpected hit! About 80 bags were gone in 6 months. Then, next year 2010, I seriously started the business.

In Switzerland, there's a bag brand "Freitag." They watched hoods of trucks passing by everyday and decided to produce the bags made of the used hoods. I don't deny that I had a longing for wonderful recycle like they do.



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Logotype of "Patina Japan"

■ Would you tell me what kind of people buy the bags?

Kojima: I originally guessed that the bags were wanted by those who fight fires. However, the result was that those were almost desired by women. I still have new customers more than my frequent guests, although the repeat customers are almost male.


■ Fire hoses are so tough that the customers hardly need to change the bags?

Kojima: I agree. They are originally made for guarding lives. Handles of the bags are from the used seat belts on cars. Very tough is what's made for guarding mortals. So I desire to reuse them and let it work somehow again.



Spiral Tote 03-16 (Red)
Size H 38cm W 40cm D 12cm
Price 13,500 YEN (tax in)


■ Wouldn't you tell me where you will go from now on?

Kojima: I wish for producing the wallets of fire hoses someday. It's unclear whether it can come into existence or not, however. Anyway, I want to keep reusing the good and supplying another good ones. Of course, I will do my best more on the fire hose bags.


■ I wish you good luck. Thank you very much.

Concern Information

・Name: Patina Japan
・Address: 6-4-8-204 Omiya-cho, Nara-shi, Nara 630-8115 Japan
・Number: +81-742-35-7433
・Foundation: July 2010







 

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