The Untold Story of Tsuchiya Kaban: Vol.1

Kunio Tsuchiya, the founder of Tsuchiya Kaban, was born on February 3, 1938, in Tominoho Village, Gifu Prefecture (present-day Seki City). The fifth of eight siblings, he was affectionately called “Kuni-chan” by his family and neighbors. Raised amidst the region’s abundant nature while helping with the family’s farming work, Kunio showed remarkable dexterity from an early age, delighting in making toys by hand. Even as a child, he carried a quiet but powerful dream of going to Tokyo and forging his own path—a wish that soon propelled him to action.

1953: Fifteen and Bound for Tokyo

In rural Japan during the Showa era, supporting a large family was no easy task. Many young people were forced to leave their hometowns in search of work—and “Kuni-chan” was no exception. Just one week into high school, a former classmate invited him to go to Tokyo. Though he felt the weight of uncertainty, it was overpowered by a deeper sense of possibility. With hope in his heart, he made the decision to leave home and set out on his own.

That journey, taken in 1953 by a fifteen-year-old boy, was like the planting of a small seed—one that would one day grow into Tsuchiya Kaban.

It was the 1950s, and Japan stood on the cusp of rapid economic growth. Tokyo Tower had just risen above the skyline, the Shinkansen bullet train was beginning to transform travel, and Randoseru—once a luxury afforded by few—was becoming a familiar sight on schoolchildren across the country. In the midst of this rapidly evolving city, young Kunio continued to work under his first boss, now with a new role as material sourcer for leather workshops throughout Tokyo. Each day, he pedaled from one atelier to another, delivering hides and placing processing orders. Soon, he developed a discerning eye for leather—learning to read its characteristics and quality with the intuition of a true expert.

As Kunio continued his work in procurement, something began to shift within him. Watching independent craftspeople who were sustaining themselves through their own skill left a deep impression. I want to be like them, he thought—a quiet resolve that grew stronger with each day.

In 1964, as Japan was swept up in the excitement of the Tokyo Olympics, Kunio—now with twelve years of experience in leather procurement—decided to step onto the path of craftsmanship. He approached another master craftsman, a relative of his first mentor, with a bold request: “I don’t need a salary for the first year. In return, please take me on as your apprentice.” It was a leap of faith; a commitment that left no path but forward.

A Year of Intense Training

Kunio’s new master was a man of few words—a craftsman through and through. His teaching philosophy was simple: “learn by watching.” He offered no hands-on instruction, leaving young Kunio to absorb knowledge on his own. Though initially bemused, Kunio relied on the experience he had gained in procurement, his natural dexterity, and above all, an unwavering determination to become a true craftsman. While apprenticeships typically lasted seven or eight years, Kunio mastered everything—from operating the sewing machine to advanced stitching techniques—in the astonishingly short window of just one year.