Edo Pouch

This pouch is the same type as that carried by the figure in the ukiyo-e print shown in the previous page. The cylindrical cover is separate from the inside. The case is made from imported woolen cloth, the inside pouch is made from Indian benitōzan fabric and printed cotton. The pouch contains a woodblock-print Buddha image. For this reason, it served as a talisman. 

The arrival of tobacco in Japan along with the European ships in the 16th century led to the widespread smoking habit during the Edo period. By the end of the Edo period over 90% of Japanese men and women had become regular smokers, and it became customary for one to carry their kiseru pipe and pipe tobacco. In those times when entertainment was scarce, having a smoke was a pastime for the Japanese. For this very reason, those who could afford the pleasure were fastidious about the tobacco pouch design.

The pocket mirror is one of the representative pocket items carried by women between the kimono and the sash on their outings. These pouches would contain a copper mirror, a comb, toothpicks, rouge and other makeup items.

The culture of Edo pouches continued through the Meiji and Taishō periods, resulting in the production of many pouches made using sophisticated techniques. This was due to the fact that makers of sword fittings who lost their jobs as a result of the haitōrei (decree abolishing the wearing of swords) in the Meiji period found their vocation in pouch making. Edo pouches may have been primarily for keeping tobacco, but with the popularization of cigarettes after the Great Kanto Earthquake in 1923, demand for tobacco pouches gradually fell into decline and became hobby items. Despite the decrease in the number of artisans making these pouches, Fujii Naoyuki follows the footsteps of his grandfather and his father who were both makers of Edo pouches to continue with the craft. He also creates tobacco pouches using traditional tools. 

After the pouch has been sewn up, the wooden patterns are inserted to stretch the pouch. The pouch is gradually fashioned to a round shape with volume by adding thin pieces in the middle. When it becomes a little tight, additional pieces are pounded in between the pieces already inside the pouch by using the uchigi to give the pouch a rounded shape. The pouch is further beaten on the outside and using a leather roller to add more roundedness. Finally, a trowel is used to give the pouch a final touch. Different types of leather have different elasticity and firmness, requiring thus a different number of wooden patterns to adjust the pouch to the desired shape.