If you cross the Kanda River from Akihabara Station and walk a little way off the main street, you will find a streetscape exuding the atmosphere of a downtown area, with old-fashioned restaurants serving set meals and miscellaneous grain wholesalers.

"Coquette" is a shop with a soft atmosphere that can be found in such a street. Coquette creates bags and other items by interpreting Japanese bag-making techniques in a modern way. We spoke to the shop's representative, Kyoko Hayashi, about why she values traditional Japanese techniques and her thoughts on craftsmanship.

The design is based on the "bag making technique" and "the refined attitude of the craftsman"

Fukuromono refers to small bag-shaped items such as purses and drawstring pouches that are worn with kimonos. Fukuromono craftsmen have been making efforts to make items that are not visible on the surface but look beautiful, such as by deliberately hiding metal fittings during the production process or decorating the lining. Hayashi senses the refined and beautiful "taste" of Japan in this, and has interpreted the fukuromono techniques in his own way, sublimating them into the designs of Coquette.

Another indispensable element in the creation of Coquette bags is the presence of the craftsmen who make the bags together. Hayashi is very sympathetic to the attitude of Japanese craftsmen and is committed to producing the bags domestically.

"The reason I believe in Japanese sewing techniques is because I really sympathize with the artisans' uncompromising attitude towards quality. That's why I can make bags without compromising, and I really enjoy making bags while discussing things with the artisans," says Hayashi with a sparkle in her eyes.

The aesthetics inherent in the craftsmanship of bags and the uncompromising attitude of artisans in their manufacturing process - these two elements combine to create Coquette bags that exude a certain dignity and beauty.

Delivering bags that exude the scent of "memories"

"Memory" is important when delivering "Coquette" bags. Hayashi compares Coquette bags to "bags like perfume."

"Sometimes when you smell a perfume, it brings back memories. I want the same thing to happen with Coquette bags. This bag was by your side when you were working hard on an important presentation, or you were using this bag when you were in that place. I want those kinds of memories to come together in the bag, making it something you won't want to throw away."

Some customers still use bags from when the store first opened, which they repaired. Hayashi-san's thoughts turn not only to the bags from "Coquette," but also to the lives and memories of his customers. His perspective is still focused on the current store.

Create a store that blends into the town and where people can feel at ease

"Coquette" moved from Taito Ward to the Kanda area in July 2023. The store not only sells its own brand products, but also products carefully selected by Hayashi, and there is also a coffee stand inside the store.

When asked why they had set up a coffee stand, they said, "We wanted to create a place where people could drop in whenever they wanted, rather than a store that was intimidating."

"When the city was darkened to conserve electricity following the Great East Japan Earthquake, a customer came rushing into the store at night. I listened to what the customer had to say, and they calmed down and left the store. This experience made me realise the importance of stores that do more than just sell goods, and the importance of 'lighting', and it remains a formative experience in the creation of the store I have today.

Since I started the cafe in our current shop, I've been happy to hear people in the neighborhood say, "It's so relaxing to have the lights on at night." I want it to blend in with the town and be a place that anyone can drop in at any time."

We make bags that will accompany you throughout your life, and welcome customers in a place where they can feel at ease. As these days go by, Coquette continues to accompany you in a corner of someone's memory.

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Coquette
Address: 2-8-14 Kandamachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo
Access: 9 minutes walk from Akihabara Station
Website: https://coquette.jp/
SNS: https://www.instagram.com/coquette.bag/?hl=ja
*For details on business hours and holidays, please check the link above.