7mm Natural Vegetable-Tanned Leather Coasters

These are leather coasters made from cowhide. Crafted with approximately 7mm thick leather, meticulously stitched by hand. We hope you will enjoy them as a subtle luxury, whether it's during a relaxing tea break or for unwinding in the evening after a long day. * As it is difficult to achieve exact thickness, the leather is adjusted to be between approximately 7mm and 8mm. The material boasts excellent water absorbency. By adhering only to the outer circumference of the leather, a structure has been created that smoothly absorbs more moisture. This results in a soft, cushion-like feel when the center is pressed. However, it is also prone to water stains. Before offering these for sale, I created a coaster for personal use and have been using it for one year. During that time, if I were to worry about stains, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my coffee or drinks, so I've intentionally treated it rather casually. The photos show my personal coaster, now two years old, placed alongside a new one for sale. The coasters for sale do not have any embossing. Also, I originally sewed my personal coaster with light blue thread, so the thread color does not change as depicted in the photo. Honestly, it can be a little disappointing when you get your first stain. However, after about four months, the charm that comes with the leather's aging process began to take over. This is for those who can enjoy the slow, deliberate aging of natural vegetable-tanned leather. Typically, I gently wipe it with a well-wrung cloth. As I don't prefer a sticky feel, I do not use maintenance oils. When a large, noticeable stain occurred, I soaked it in water overnight and then air-dried it in the shade. Mold is the enemy. After absorbing a large amount of water, such as from the condensation of cold drinks, I ensure it dries thoroughly for 2-3 days, until it weighs approximately 40 grams. 【What is Tochigi Leather?】 With the pores and blood lines from its life still visible, it has a faint, savory aroma when you bring it close to your nose. "Tochigi Leather," which conveys the natural charm of cowhide, is cowhide tanned into "leather" from "hide" by Tochigi Leather Co., Ltd. (Tochigi City, Tochigi Prefecture). It is a premium cowhide, tanned using a vegetable tanning process with tannins extracted from mimosa tree bark, without the use of harmful chemicals. This meticulous process, passed down since its founding in 1937, involves over 20 steps. The "Tochigi Leather," known for its fine grain and natural charm, is highly regarded not only in Japan but also by leading apparel manufacturers overseas. 【The Proof of Tochigi Leather: The Red Tag】 The red tag is permitted only for creations made with 100% "Tochigi Leather." At "Your Side Door," we attach the "Red Tag," the mark of "Tochigi Leather," to all creations priced at 3000 yen or more. All of our products are made using "Tochigi Leather." As we are located in the same prefecture, we proudly craft all our items from 100% "Tochigi Leather." 【Specifications】 ・Material: Cowhide (Tochigi Leather) ・Thread: Linen ・Diameter: Approx. 88mm ・Thickness: Approx. 7mm ・Weight: Approx. 37g 【Japan Leather Award 2024】 In 2024, "Your Side Door" was nominated as a "Selected Work" for the grand prize consideration at the Japan Leather Award, receiving a commemorative plaque. * While we take the utmost care in inventory management, there may be instances of stockouts due to concurrent sales at our atelier. In the event of a stockout, we will inform you of the estimated remake time and inquire about your preference for cancellation. * The leather used is not coated with pigment on the grain surface. Therefore, it may exhibit variations in color, blood lines (traces of blood vessels), tiger marks (wrinkles from its life), scratches, insect bite marks, blackening from residual iron, or remnants of hair follicles. Among vegetable-tanned cowhides, we use natural or aniline-finished leathers where such characteristics of natural leather are strongly evident. * The colors of the images displayed may differ depending on the lighting conditions at the time of photography and the display settings of your device. * As each item is handcrafted and unique, there may be slight variations in shape, as well as minor, unnoticeable scratches or color inconsistencies.