Japanese leather has a 1,500-year history, with many leather processing techniques believed to have been introduced by people arriving from the Continent before the Asuka period. In ancient times, deerskin was most popular, used widely for armor, horse tack, clothing, bedding, and more. Later, cowhide, horsehide, and pigskin also came into use. Today, cowhide is the most widely produced leather in Japan, though hides from pigs, horses, sheep, and deer are also produced. Beyond finishes that maximize each type's inherent qualities, Japanese leather also incorporates traditional techniques like indigo dyeing, lacquer work, and sumi-nuri (ink-flow dyeing), resulting in uniquely Japanese leather finishes.

1. This database contains survey results collected from leather manufacturers in August 2025. For the most up-to-date information, please contact the tanners directly.
2. This database reflects responses obtained from questionnaires administered to individual tanneries. Furthermore, the wording of each response option for each question is reproduced verbatim. Consequently, subtle differences in nuance from actual practices may occasionally arise. Please note that some companies significantly exceed the upper limits of the response options provided for questions such as “Business scale,” “Number of employees,” and “Production capacity.”
3. This database contains data for 145 tanneries. There are currently approximately 250 tanneries operating in Japan. We plan to add information on tanneries currently not yet included in the database as it becomes available.