From Hairdresser to Leather Craftsman: My Journey and Future Plans

From Hairdresser to Leather Craftsman: My Journey and Future Endeavors

It was in 2010 that I resigned from the hair salon where I had been working in Tokyo.
That was also the year of the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Fortunately, I was not affected by the disaster, but
I still remember how that event made me deeply reflect on life and work.

Since then, I did not return to working in a hair salon and spent a period away from the hairdressing profession.
However, I never completely quit; I continued to work as a freelance hairdresser, which brings me to the present.

Why did I start making leather products?

Even when I was aspiring to be a hairdresser, I had another dream of becoming a designer.
My designs being distributed to the world and someone using them—
I still remember how excited I was just imagining that.

Perhaps because of that desire, I happened to encounter a leather workshop in Nagoya one day and started working there,
seriously stepping into the world of "monozukuri" (craftsmanship).

After that, I gained experience as a store manager at Leather Mania, an online leather material store,
and after returning to Shiga, I set up a small workshop in my hometown and was finally able to launch my own brand.

What I want to gradually share from my own perspective

Recently, I'm often asked,
"Are you still a hairdresser?" or "Are you going to continue as a leather craftsman?"

Honestly, I don't have a clear answer yet.
But precisely because of that, I feel it's important to gradually give shape to "what I can do now," "what I want to convey to someone," and "what I want to achieve."

From now on, I plan to write little by little in my own words about my life, my leather work, and my perspective as a hairdresser, among other things.
Thank you for your continued support.

BLINK SCISSORS CASE Tanaka