Shinki Hikaku Tannery

Tannery

About

Shinki Hikaku is a Japanese tannery founded in 1951 in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The family-run business is the only tannery globally to specialize exclusively in horse leather production, including cordovan and horsehide leathers. Operating since World War II, Shinki Hikaku conducts the full leather production process from tanning to finishing using traditional methods combined with continuous technological improvement. The tannery achieved Leather Working Group (LWG) Gold environmental certification, and has been described as one of the world's leading tanners of horse leather.

Shinki Hikaku's production process involves importing raw horse hides from Europe and processing them through a months-long tanning cycle using mimosa bark from Australia. The tannery produces several leather types including shell cordovan, oiled horsebutt, and fish leather.

History

Shinki Hikaku was founded in 1951 in Himeji City, located in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The family-run business has operated continuously since its founding, maintaining its focus on horse leather specialization for over seventy years.

The company's location in Himeji, a region historically known for leather production in Japan, provided access to established tanning infrastructure and expertise. Shinki Hikaku's decision to focus exclusively on horse leather distinguished it from other Japanese tanneries that work with multiple animal hides.

Production Process

Raw Material Sourcing

Shinki Hikaku imports raw horse hides from Europe, where animal treatment regulations and welfare standards are strictly regulated. The hides come from horses slaughtered for the food industry at the end of their working lives, with the hides exported to Japan for leather production.

Tanning Method

The tannery uses mimosa tannage, a vegetable tanning technique that involves soaking hides for months in a solution of bark and water imported from Australia. Initial processing involves cutting each hide into two sections: the butt and fronts.

After cutting, hides undergo washing, dehairing, and fat removal. The cleaned hides are then sorted and placed in the mimosa tanning solution for an extended soaking period. Following tanning, the hides are dried and stored for additional months to cure and shrink properly.

The production cycle takes up to four months from raw hide to finished leather. This extended timeline includes unique drying and aging stages that distinguish Shinki Hikaku's leather from faster-processed alternatives.

Production Loss

The traditional tanning and aging process results in approximately 30% volume loss as the hides shrink during curing. This significant material reduction contributes to the premium pricing of Shinki Hikaku leather products.

Finishing Process

After tanning and curing, the leather undergoes finishing operations including milling or tumbling to soften the material and develop its characteristic grain texture. The leather is then dyed and treated with oils and finishing solutions to achieve the desired properties and appearance.

Leather Types

Shinki Hikaku produces several specialized leather types, all utilizing the traditional mimosa tanning process and extended aging timeline. The tannery's horse leather products include Shell Cordovan, known for its exceptional shine and called "the diamond of leathers," which requires the full four-month production cycle. The company also produces various horsehide leathers, including Oiled Horsebutt, Antique Horsehide, and Shrunken Horsebutt, each with distinctive texture and grain patterns resulting from the mimosa tanning process. For detailed specifications and characteristics of each leather type, see the dedicated articles.

In addition to horse leather specialization, Shinki Hikaku also produces fish leather, though this represents a smaller portion of their output compared to their horse leather products.

Quality and Craftsmanship

As a boutique tannery, Shinki Hikaku emphasizes delicate craftsmanship and continuous improvement in technology. The family-run operation maintains control over the full integrated production process from tanning through finishing, allowing quality oversight at each stage.

The tannery's exclusive focus on horse leather has enabled development of specialized expertise and signature leather characteristics that distinguish Shinki products in the market.

Environmental Certification

Shinki Hikaku achieved Gold certification from the Leather Working Group (LWG), an international organization that audits and certifies leather manufacturers on environmental stewardship and compliance. The Gold rating represents the highest level of achievement in the LWG certification system, indicating adherence to environmental best practices in water usage, waste management, and chemical handling.