Reimagining the Art of Creation With Tsuchiya Kaban

A New Chapter of Japanese Craftsmanship

Drawn together by a shared passion for designing for the future, we’ve joined forces with Tsuchiya Kaban (a Harizury company) to reimagine the art of creation, unveiling Japan’s first-ever products made from Mylo™. This handsomely handcrafted series embraces a perfect harmony of Japanese minimalism and material innovation. Continuing to expand our partnerships around the world, we’re thrilled to introduce the magic of Mylo to Japan.

“Working with the Tsuchiya Kaban team has been an honor and a glimpse into what the global expansion of Mylo™ will create. The collaboration with their highly-skilled artisans has produced a collection of Mylo™ products showcasing the beautiful harmony that comes from pairing a deep-rooted commitment to craft with an eye to innovation for a better future.” – Dan Widmaier, Bolt Threads Founder & CEO

Creating “Endearing Products” Since 1965

Tsuchiya Kaban is a beloved leather goods company founded in 1965 and headquartered in Adachi-ku, Tokyo, with 23 stores in Japan and two in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Steeped in a rich history of Japanese craftsmanship, Tsuchiya Kaban and sister brand objcts.io work with around 200 craftspeople in Japan to create time-honored bags and accessories lovingly called “endearing products.” Meaning: products that embody quality, durability, and timelessness across generations. Always considering ways to evolve and modernize their offering for today’s consumers, Tsuchiya Kaban is embracing Mylo in a new era of Japanese design.

Mylo Is From the Earth, for the Future

Mylo is a desirable and scalable animal leather alternative utilized by brands ready to usher in a more sustainable future. Made from mycelium, the underground root-like system of mushrooms, Mylo is soft, supple, and offers a remarkably similar experience to animal leather. With the addition of Mylo, Tsuchiya Kaban can offer their community a whole new range of bags — without the baggage. While cows take years to raise, our mycelium grows in less than two weeks in a state-of-the-art vertical farming facility powered by 100% renewable energy.

After a year of product development in their Tokyo workshop, Tsuchiya Kaban revealed six prototypes made with Mylo, including bags, school bags, and small goods. By redesigning their most popular products using a mycelium-based leather alternative, loyal customers have the opportunity to explore this new material innovation in a familiar way. All six prototypes were showcased for a limited time at their Shibuya store, where customers could experience Mylo firsthand.

A Traditional Craft Meets an Innovative Material

“When I touched Mylo™ for the first time, I was surprised that innovative technologies could create such an incredible material feel. At the same time, I felt that Mylo™ could be a valued product in a world where customers’ values and needs are more diversified than ever. Combining Japan’s long history of craftsmanship with Bolt Threads’ cutting-edge innovation will spawn new ideas in our pursuit to create Endearing Products, and I look forward to working closely with the Mylo™ material and Bolt Threads team to launch products together.” – Masanori Tsuchiya, Tsuchiya Kaban Representative Director

Exploring the Unreal Potential of Mylo

Bolt Threads is on a mission to create way better materials for a way better world. Current partnerships with brands like Tsuchiya Kaban, lululemon, Stella McCartney, and GANNI are essential in demonstrating the limitless possibilities for our mycelium-based material. With each collaboration and commercially available product, Mylo will continue to get better and better.