Oshima Naka district in Kasaoka City, Okayama.
Located in the southeastern part of the city, this place offers a grand panorama of the Seto Inland Sea, and is home to the " Share Atelier Umi no Kosha (hereinafter, Umi no Kosha)" which utilizes a former school building.
A unique creative space where various types of creators, including woodworkers and designers, gather.
The wonderful Share Atelier Umi no Kosha startup member and a shop leading manufacturing in Kasaoka is "SIRUHA (Shiruha)".
They mainly handle leather and fabric products.
We spoke with the representative, Fujimoto Shinji, to delve into SIRUHA's philosophy and their thoughts on manufacturing.
The information provided is based on data from the article published in January 2023. Please note that it may differ from current information.
The Spirit of Manufacturing Rooted in Kasaoka: Umi no Kosha and SIRUHA
Oshima Higashi Elementary School, which closed in 2018.
In one corner of the wooden school building that has completed its role, there is a showroom and workshop for SIRUHA.
The space, which utilizes the classrooms as they are, has a nostalgic feel, creating a strange sense of time that makes you feel like you've returned to your childhood.
The workshop is filled with tools that evoke a professional workspace and a variety of colorful materials, while the showroom displays a proud array of products created in the workshop.
A compact space that expands into an infinite world of craftsmanship.
Representative Fujimoto runs SIRUHA as a sole proprietor.
The products, which have a comforting texture that fits well in the hand, have been certified as "Kasaoka Brand" for their high quality and unique charm of Kasaoka City.
Currently, a fixed lineup of products is mainstream, but they hope to eventually offer semi-custom options.
Together with four employees, they are looking towards a brighter future.
The light of life was rekindled in the abandoned Oshima Higashi Elementary School about three years after its closure in 2021.
This marked the birth of Umi no Kosha.
Looking back, Fujimoto was casually asked by a Kasaoka City employee for ideas on utilizing the facility after the school closed.
During that time, he happened to drop by the closed school building in the midst of spring.
There, he was completely knocked out!
The nostalgic wooden school building, the world view created by the sea and mountains, and the carpet of cherry blossom petals spread all around captivated him at once.
"Kasaoka is a place with nothing."
Fujimoto, who had always thought this way as a local, says that witnessing the indescribable scenery of Oshima Higashi Elementary School completely changed his perception.
"I hope it becomes a place where various people who want to do different things can gather."
Thus, the story of the share atelier originating from Kasaoka began.
At the same time, Fujimoto connected with woodworker Minami Tomoyuki, who is from Osaka, through a mutual acquaintance.
Minami also learned about the closure of Oshima Higashi Elementary School through a different opportunity and shared the same vision as Fujimoto.
The two shared a desire to have their own workshops within the school building.
Fujimoto and Minami's passionate aspirations reached the local community as well.
They received support for business development from the Oshima Community Development Council, which had been exploring ideas for the preservation of the school building.
Various regulations, conditions, and ordinances posed significant challenges, making the path to the opening of Umi no Kosha anything but smooth.
However, Fujimoto, Minami, and the other five initial members, along with local residents and other supporters, united their efforts to envision a shared future.
As a result, the "NPO Umi no Kosha Oshima Higashi Elementary School" was established at the end of July 2020.
This NPO has leased the closed Oshima Higashi Elementary School from the city and is maintaining Umi no Kosha in collaboration with the local community by providing classrooms as workspaces for creators.
Fujimoto stated.
"This place is indispensable for us to work hard on our manufacturing, rather than just making money."
Here in Kasaoka, the true essence of NPOs resonates with the spirit of manufacturing.
The Philosophy of SIRUHA
Delivering good products and good information to everyone...
This is the philosophy that SIRUHA values.
With the desire to provide useful tools and information to people, and to realize a fun and comfortable life and society, Fujimoto engages in manufacturing every day.
So, what are "useful tools"?
Fujimoto's answer is "tools for going out" and "writing tools".
For example, a functional and lightweight backpack that makes you want to go out easily.
For example, a handy notebook that allows you to quickly jot down thoughts and ideas.
These make using them enjoyable and maximize the owner's abilities.
Fujimoto contemplated.
Going outside, walking, and noticing.
And then writing it down.
By doing so, various things are born, and desires and visions take shape.
He wants to create products that make life shine.
He wants to share information to find and realize dreams.
Fujimoto quietly and strongly believes this.
If going out becomes comfortable and writing becomes comfortable, then "thinking" becomes comfortable as well.
This is the wonderful concept of SIRUHA.
Products that Accompany the "User"
The "good products" proposed by SIRUHA are practical and focus on the user.
How can they derive the most optimal solutions as tools for the realization of the user's ideas?
Fujimoto's manufacturing is converged into a commitment that can be described as functional beauty.
For example, in the case of notebooks, he goes through various trials and errors, stripping away elements that make it difficult to continue writing or that hinder the habit of writing.
Having a clasp here can create unnecessary movements when searching for pages, causing thoughts to disappear.
Stuffing cards into pockets can create bumps and generate information noise.
If the hardware and pen holder here are weak and prone to breaking...
This is how they eliminate various stresses associated with using tools.
Thus, a series of products that are as simple as possible and allow for concentration on "thinking" are created.
Here are some standard "tools for going out" and "writing tools" that you can take anywhere.
Tools for Going Out
One of the representative products of SIRUHA, alongside notebooks, is the mini wallet, which comes in a variety of colors.
It uses gentle-textured canvas and denim.
They also offer a paraffin-treated series with water-repellent properties, and a wash-treated series that adds a casual texture.
Small, thin, and light.
Yet, it is functional as well.
A wallet that makes you feel light.
This is a 2-way backpack made from wash-treated canvas material.
It is a backpack that evenly distributes weight, reducing the burden on the body, and a bag that allows for easy access to items.
It's a great combination of two functions.
The design allows you to simply open the handles to take out the contents, making it easy to access your belongings while you lower the backpack.
The stylish design stands out.
This is a business card holder made from "Buttero leather," which is recognized worldwide as high-quality cowhide leather.
It has a structure that allows you to insert and store received business cards, making it very convenient.
Valuing encounters with people, it serves as an item that creates a space for new connections and stories.
Writing Tools
This is what SIRUHA is known for.
It is a system notebook made from the same Buttero leather as the business card holder.
It is a proud masterpiece that encapsulates Mr. Fujimoto's passion for craftsmanship.
Not only is the design and functionality thoroughly considered from the user's perspective, but I was also instantly captivated by the beauty of its visuals and the luster of the cowhide.
It becomes familiar in your hand over time, and the aging process of the leather gives it a wonderful texture.
Mr. Fujimoto hopes that you will cherish it for 10 or 20 years, as it is possible to replace the hardware and re-sew the pen holder.
This notebook makes you want to keep it by your side as a life companion.
"Filing paper with paper."
It somehow feels warm.
This document holder is made from a durable and lightweight special paper that is water-resistant.
It seems like work will be a little more enjoyable than usual.
Mr. Fujimoto is sincerely dedicated to craftsmanship.
I had a conversation with him.
SIRUHA Information
| Name | SIRUHA |
|---|---|
| Location | 2553 Oshima Naka, Kasaoka City, Okayama Prefecture, Share Atelier Umi no Kosha, 1st Floor |
| Contact | 080-1904-8416 |
| Parking | Available |
| Opening Hours | First Sunday of every month 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM *Open day for Share Atelier Umi no Kosha |
| Admission Fee (including tax) | Free |
| Payment Method |
|
| Smoking | Non-smoking (smoking allowed only in designated areas) |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Website | SIRUHA |
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