Shinki Antique Horsehide

The leather is sourced from the loin and rump areas of horse hides imported from Europe, processed through traditional tanning methods that can take up to four months to complete. Shinki Antique Horsehide develops a distinctive patina through wear, with the aniline finish allowing the leather's aging characteristics to become increasingly visible over time.

Shinki Hikaku established operations in 1951 in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The tannery specializes exclusively in horse leather production, maintaining traditional vegetable tanning techniques passed down through generations. The company sources raw horse hides from European suppliers in well-regulated regions with established animal treatment standards, with hides originating from horses processed for the food industry.

The tannery's antique horsehide production utilizes horsehide from specific areas of the animal's back, particularly the loin and rump sections, selected for their inherent characteristics of light weight and suppleness.

Shinki Antique Horsehide undergoes vegetable tanning using the mimosa tannage method. The tanning process involves pit tanning, where hides are carefully processed in pits followed by drum dyeing in colors including black, brown, and chocolate. The production cycle incorporates drying and aging stages that extend up to four months from start to finish.

The tanning sequence includes initial processing where hides are washed, dehaired, and cleaned of fat. The hides undergo months-long soaking in a solution of bark and water imported from Australia. Following tanning, the leather receives a greasing process that adds oil to create a moist texture. The finishing process may include pigmented finishing for uniform surfaces and milling to enhance grain expression. Some production runs incorporate oil and wax top coats, while others utilize pigment finishes.

Shinki Antique Horsehide is produced with a thickness of approximately 1.2 to 1.3 mm, equivalent to 2.5 to 2.75 oz weight. The leather features a full-grain, uncorrected finish with a smooth and glossy aniline surface treatment. The antique aniline finish means the leather contains minimal surface finishing, resulting in visible natural characteristics of the hide.

The leather exhibits a polished luster with a dense grain structure that provides increased durability and resistance to wear. The material is characterized as relatively thin and lightweight while maintaining structural integrity. Initial texture presents as shiny and stiff, with the leather requiring a break-in period. The leather can be produced in smooth or grainy textures depending on finishing specifications.

Shinki Antique Horsehide is available in several colors, with Shinki Black Antique Horsehide and Shinki Chocolate Antique Horsehide being prominent variants, along with brown. The leather possesses a distinctive smell characteristic of vegetable-tanned materials, attributed to the mimosa tanning process.

The full aniline finish of Shinki Antique Horsehide allows for patina development as the leather ages. The tannin-tanned leather becomes increasingly glossy and develops a vintage appearance through extended use. Many variants feature teacore construction, where a brown core becomes exposed through wear as the surface layer is abraded, creating a unique patina pattern specific to each user's wear patterns.

The leather's fully shrunken grain structure develops visible ripples over time, particularly after exposure to moisture. The material molds to the wearer's body through use, developing individual character based on wear patterns. Top coats applied during finishing dull with wear, potentially revealing underlying color layers. The leather increases in perceived heaviness as oils and wear compounds affect the material over extended periods.

Shinki Antique Horsehide finds application across multiple product categories in the leather goods industry. Primary applications include biker and bomber jackets, where the leather's combination of durability and ability to develop patina serves motorcycle and flight jacket designs. The material is utilized in watch straps, taking advantage of the leather's flexibility after break-in and its aging characteristics.

Small leather goods production uses Shinki Antique Horsehide for items requiring durable yet refined leather, including totes, handbags, and clutches. The leather appears in garment construction, bag manufacturing, and footwear applications. Premium footwear manufacturers incorporate the material in boot construction, particularly for heritage and workwear-style boots where patina development and long-term durability are valued characteristics.