Fish leather

Fish Leather: The Unsung Hero of the Leather Industry

Fish leather is a type of leather made from the skin of fish that undergoes tanning (preservation treatment).

Fish leather has been used by indigenous peoples such as the Ainu for clothing and footwear in the past, but it is quite rare in the world due to its susceptibility to decay and the difficulty of processing. In recent years, with the growing emphasis on environmental conservation activities like the SDGs, fish leather has gained attention for its low environmental impact. It is characterized by its unique and beautiful scale patterns and lightness, which vary depending on the fish species, giving it a distinctive charm compared to other types of leather.

Since it is made using a similar manufacturing process to cowhide, it has the typical leather smell.

Odor

Texture

The scale patterns and texture vary depending on the fish species.

Strength

It is lightweight and durable, with strength comparable to or even greater than cowhide when both are of the same thickness.

Manufacturing process

1. Meat scraping

Remove any excess flesh remaining in the skin, being as careful as possible to avoid puncturing the skin.

② Degreasing

At this stage, the oils, grease and dirt that cause the odor are thoroughly washed away and the grease is removed.

③Tanning

Vegetable tannin is dissolved in water and the hide is then placed in the solution to tan (preservative) the hide, transforming it into leather.

④ Dyeing

The dyes are mixed and then dyed.

⑤ Coating

To ensure that you can use it for a long time, we apply a coating to the surface of the leather. We try not to paint it solidly in order to make the most of the uneven texture.