しぜんのしるし とは

しぜんのしるし

代表 長嶺 一平

沖縄生まれ。

2005~
沖縄を出て、様々な土地、職で色々な人と出会い刺激を受けつつ、一生を賭けられるものを探す日々。若いうちにしか出来ないことを、と、車を改装し移動式のBARで走り回ったり、2か月かけてインドを一周したり…最終的に下北沢に到着。手元に残った10万円片手に不動産屋を訪ねて風呂無し4畳半を契約。手に職をとの思いから飲食店に勤務。

2008~
「革財布が欲しい」「趣味を増やしたい」そんな気持ちで革細工を始める。
渋谷の東急ハンズで道具を揃え、ブレスレットや革小物などを作っては友人たちにプレゼント。

2011~
たまたまインターネットでHITした「藤井鞄店(fugee)」へ向かう。これが人生の分岐点だった。

突然の訪問だったが、有難いことに店主の藤井さんとお話しすることができた。初対面の若者にこんなに熱を持って語ってくださる優しさと、溢れんばかりの鞄づくりへの情熱に感動。
自分が勉強不足で、世間知らずで、良かった。藤井鞄店の存在を知ってしまっていたら、恐れ多くて足を運ぼうなんて考えなかったから。

鞄好きに藤井さんの名を知らない人はいない。一切の妥協を許さない、正真正銘の職人。未だ最高の鞄を求めてチャレンジし続けるレジェンド。

「革を仕事にすることはできる」
藤井さんに背中を押してもらったような気がした。自分の人生が変わったと認識できた瞬間だった。

藤井さんは鞄教室をされているということ。早速ウェイティングリストに入れてもらい、その日を待った。

やはり人気のため、なかなか空きが出ない。その間も、仕事以外の時間は革製品づくりに集中した。仕事先の方から製作依頼をいただいたり、貴重な時間だった。

 

そして、ようやく藤井さんの鞄教室に通うことができた。道具の仕立て方など基礎から学びなおし、課題を製作。技術的なコトはもちろん、動きや視線、発言、考え方なども、目と耳を大きくして覚えた。
自分も先生と同じように、革を仕事にしたい。だから学べるものはなんでも学んだ。


1年半が経った頃、急遽家の都合で沖縄に戻ることに。
このままずっと藤井さんのもとで学びたかったが、これも何かのタイミングかもしれないと沖縄に帰ることを決断。

2016~
沖縄にて自分のブランドを立ち上げる計画を進める。

同時に、下北沢時代に親しくさせていただいていた方を介し、那覇のレザーショップanshareから「手伝わないか」と声をかけていただく。

実店舗での経験も得られることから、自らのブランド立ち上げは一旦止め、anshareで力いっぱいお手伝いさせていただく。
工場長として商品開発、職場改善等に携わりつつ、販売員としても店頭に立ち、貴重な経験を積む。

2020年
等身大のモノづくりを表現していくため、同じく革職人である奥さんと夫婦で「しぜんのしるし」を立ち上げる。
日々のコーディネートを彩る作品たちを沖縄から生み出している。

身の丈に合った、そして気分を上げるような、そんなモノづくりをお届けしたいと思っています。

どうぞよろしくお願いいたします。

長嶺 一平

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Nice to meet you.

Shizen no Shirushi is an online leather goods shop run by a husband-and-wife team of leather artisans in Okinawa, Japan.

Centered around our signature compact leather wallet, comet R2, we make wallets and small leather goods that fit naturally into everyday life. Each piece is crafted by hand, from cutting the leather to sewing, edge finishing, and final detailing.

Leather is a wonderful material because its changes over time can be appreciated as part of its beauty. We hope Shizen no Shirushi will grow older in the same way.

We value honest, natural craftsmanship, and create leather goods that are easy to choose both for daily use and as gifts.

We continue to design and make items that fit naturally into everyday style.

As Shizen no Shirushi, we aim to offer an online shopping experience that feels as warm and approachable as visiting a real shop. Please feel free to contact us anytime.

For questions about our products or orders, please contact us through our official LINE account or by email at shizen.okinawa@gmail.com.

Shizen no Shirushi

Founder: Ippei Nagamine

Born in Okinawa.

2005~
I left Okinawa and spent my days meeting many different people in different places and jobs, searching for something I could devote my life to.

Wanting to do things that could only be done while I was young, I converted a car and traveled around with a mobile bar, spent two months traveling across India, and eventually arrived in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo.

With only 100,000 yen left, I visited a real estate agency and rented a tiny four-and-a-half-tatami room with no bath. Wanting to learn a skill, I began working in the restaurant industry.

2008~
I started leathercraft with simple thoughts: “I want a leather wallet” and “I want a new hobby.”

I bought tools at Tokyu Hands in Shibuya and began making bracelets, coin purses, and other small leather goods, often giving them to friends as gifts.

2011~
By chance, I found Fujii Bag Store, also known as fugee, on the internet and decided to visit. That visit became a turning point in my life.

Although I arrived without an appointment, I was fortunate enough to speak with Mr. Fujii, the owner. I was deeply moved by his kindness in speaking so passionately to a young stranger, and by his overwhelming dedication to bag making.

In a way, I was lucky that I knew so little. If I had truly understood how respected Fujii Bag Store was, I might never have had the courage to visit.

Anyone who loves bags knows Mr. Fujii’s name. He is a true craftsman who allows no compromise, and a legend who continues to challenge himself in pursuit of the finest bags.

“You can make leather your work.”

I felt as if Mr. Fujii had gently pushed me forward. It was the moment I realized my life had changed.

I learned that Mr. Fujii also taught a bag-making class, so I immediately put my name on the waiting list and waited for my turn.

Because the class was so popular, openings did not come easily. During that time, I spent every hour outside of work focused on making leather goods. I also began receiving requests from people at my workplace, which became a valuable period of learning and practice.

Eventually, I was able to attend Mr. Fujii’s bag-making class. I relearned the fundamentals, including how to prepare and maintain tools, and worked through the assignments.

I studied not only technique, but also his movements, his eyes, his words, and his way of thinking. I wanted to work with leather just as he did, so I tried to absorb everything I could.

After a year and a half, I suddenly had to return to Okinawa for family reasons.

I wanted to continue learning under Mr. Fujii for as long as possible, but I decided to return home, feeling that perhaps this was also part of the timing of my life.

2016~
Back in Okinawa, I began preparing to launch my own brand.

Around the same time, through someone I had known during my Shimokitazawa days, I was invited to help at anshare, a leather shop in Naha.

Because it was also a chance to gain experience in a physical shop, I decided to pause my own brand plans and give my full effort to working at anshare.

As factory manager, I was involved in product development and workplace improvements. I also stood in the shop as a salesperson, gaining valuable experience directly with customers.

2020
To express a more natural, life-sized approach to making things, I launched Shizen no Shirushi together with my wife, who is also a leather artisan.

From Okinawa, we create pieces that add quiet color to everyday style.

We hope to deliver things that feel true to who we are, fit naturally into daily life, and lift your mood when you use them.

Thank you very much.

Ippei Nagamine