Japanese leather artisan, Okada125 not only furnishes you with the knowledge to make beautiful leather goods, but he also gives you the tools to do it. And the tools themselves are works of art.

If you are reading this blog, chances are you are well acquainted with Japanese denim. You are probably also aware that it is amongst the finest denim in the world. And they use this denim to make some of the finest jeans in the world. But it’s not just jeans they do this well. It is everything. Like literally everything.

If you make something, make it with something beautiful

I am sure there is a proverb in some language that says,

“If you make something, make it with something beautiful”

And I would bet if there is, it would be in Japanese. This is exactly what Okada125 seems to think at least.

I came across these exceptional tools while scrolling through Instagram. They were laid out on a tray and photographed beautifully certainly, but there was something else. There is something about items made beautifully and made for a specific purpose. They stand out amongst the rest.

Finding Okada125

After a little hunting around and some rather ropey translation via google translate I found my way over to Okada125’s website. Now, from what I can ascertain through said translation and with a little bit of hopeful guesswork, Okada125 who I think it called Tetsuya Okada is a leather artisan with his studio in Tokyo.

Lost in translation

Anyway, seems Mr Okada found a passion for crafts in his grandfather’s workshop and found his love for leather when he made his first wallet at age 18. He could not pursue this as a career however and started in Architecture. Clearly not satisfied, he left architecture and studied leather making at the Fujii Coffee store (I am really not sure if Google got that right).

Starting in 2000, Mr Okada started to make leather goods in Tabata, Tokyo where he would also run classes.

Tools of the trade

Fast forward to today, he is still running the leathermaking classes but also providing his students and other leather artisans with the tools to properly ply their trade.

Building bridges

Over the years, Mr Okada had noticed that there were craftsmen that make good tools and there are people who want those tools. But these two groups found it hard to reach one another. He decided to change that.

He looks for craftsmen with whom he can collaborate with. With whom he can have an open and frank discussion and design particular tools that are perfectly homed to the task in hand.

Even the weights look sculptures

Scrolling through the store you will find Awls, leather knives, thread scissors, edge clampers, needles, planes and a whole host else. All of which you would be well within your rights to put behind glass. Hell, even the weights look like a sculpture.

Focused on the tools

The Okada125 Instagram feed seems to very much focused on the tools rather than what can be made from them. Although you do see the odd example as well as some shots of his pupils learning the trade and honing their skills. We also see some dirt bikes and some surf spots. Whoever you are Mr Okada, you seem like a dude we’d like to know better!