Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd. Receives Platinum A’ Design Award for Kumihimo, a Drawstring Bag Reinterpreting Japanese Braiding Tradition
COMO, CO, ITALY, August 27, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ — The A’ Design Award has announced Kumihimo, a drawstring bag created by Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd., as a Platinum winner in the Fashion and Travel Accessories Design category. The A’ Design Award is one of the world’s most prestigious recognitions in the field of accessory design, and it celebrates works that demonstrate notable innovation, craftsmanship, and cultural relevance. Kumihimo reinterprets a traditional Japanese braiding technique from the Edo period (1603 to 1867), translating historical aesthetics into a form suited to contemporary daily life. This Platinum recognition acknowledges the design as an outstanding example of good design within a highly respected international competition. The honor positions Kumihimo among works evaluated through a rigorous and impartial assessment process.
The A’ Fashion and Travel Accessories Design Award holds meaning not only for the winning entity but for the broader accessory industry and its customers. Kumihimo responds to a growing interest in objects that connect heritage craftsmanship with everyday utility, addressing the demand for products that carry both meaning and function. By integrating the Kumihimo braiding technique directly into the structure of the bag, the design advances practices that balance traditional craft with modern wearability. The work aligns with industry movements toward durability, tactile quality, and considered material use. For users, it offers a refined accessory that brings cultural depth and practical value to daily routines.
Kumihimo distinguishes itself by replacing conventional stitching with durable braided cords, achieving both structural strength and flexibility. The minimalist form draws attention to the purity of the braiding technique, while the overall structure embodies Musubi, the Japanese philosophy of physical links and spiritual bonds. The bag consists of twenty precision leather parts, finished with hidden stitching and manual thread work to highlight the beauty of the cords. Edge-painting on all one hundred holes reduces friction while enhancing appearance. The cords were crafted by braiding artisan Ryuta Fukuda, whose expertise unites with the leather craft of Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd. in every detail.
This Platinum A’ Design Award recognition offers Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd. encouragement to continue exploring the dialogue between tradition and modern design. The achievement may inspire future projects that reinterpret historical Japanese craft for contemporary audiences, fostering further innovation in material use and construction. By demonstrating that craftsmanship can feel accessible and inviting, the work supports a wider appreciation for heritage techniques. The recognition serves as motivation for the brand’s artisans to maintain their dedication to meticulous care and thoughtful design.
Team Members
Kumihimo was developed by the artisans of Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd., who refined the leather construction, hardware, and finishing through multiple prototyping rounds. The braided cords were crafted by traditional craftsman Ryuta Fukuda, whose specialization in Kumihimo braiding brought authentic technique to the design.
Interested parties may learn more about Kumihimo, view its details, and discover the designers behind the work at the dedicated page on the A’ Design Award website.
https://competition.adesignaward.com/ada-winner-design.php?ID=180948
About Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd.
Since 1965, with the creation of Randsel, the traditional Japanese school backpacks, Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd. has continued to grow, blending tradition and innovation in leather craftsmanship. In 2025, the brand proudly celebrates its sixtieth anniversary. Guided by its concept of creating timeless products, the company celebrates Japanese craftsmanship as an expression of the nation’s sensibility and the mastery of its artisans. Rooted in Teinei, meaning meticulous care, attention to detail, and dedicated craftsmanship, the brand creates objects of simple elegance, made to be cherished and used for a lifetime. Tsuchiya Kaban Co., Ltd. is based in Japan.
About the Platinum A’ Design Award Recognition
The Platinum A’ Design Award is the highest accolade bestowed by the A’ Design Awards, granted to works that combine notable innovation with meaningful contributions to society. Designs achieving this designation are recognized for their technical proficiency, artistic skill, and originality, as assessed against established criteria. In the Fashion and Travel Accessories Design category, evaluation considers innovative use of material, aesthetic appeal, functional efficiency, originality in design, sustainable production methods, ergonomic consideration, cultural relevance, market viability, attention to detail, and craftsmanship excellence, among other factors. Recipients are acknowledged for advancing the boundaries of design and for contributing to improvements in quality of life. The recognition reflects a highly regarded standard within the international design community.
About A’ Design Award
The A’ Fashion and Travel Accessories Design Award is an esteemed design competition that welcomes a wide range of participants, including designers, design agencies, companies, brands, and other entities operating within the fashion and travel accessories industries. Entries are assessed through a blind peer-review process and voted upon according to pre-established evaluation criteria by an expert jury panel composed of design professionals, accessory industry experts, journalists, and academics. The ultimate aim of the A’ Design Award is to recognize and promote superior products and projects that advance and benefit society, driven by a philanthropic mission to make the world a better place through the power of good design. Organized since 2008 and now in its eighteenth year, the A’ Design Award is an international and juried competition held across all industries, open to entries from all countries. Interested parties may learn more about the A’ Design Awards, explore the jury members, view past laureates, and take part with their projects at the following url: https://accessoryaward.com
Makpal Bayetova
A’ DESIGN AWARD & COMPETITION SRL
+39 031 497 2900
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