Shinki Chocolate Antique Horsehide

Chocolate is one of the standard color offerings in Shinki's Antique Horsehide line, distinguished by its medium-dark brown pigmented surface over a lighter mimosa-tanned base. The leather is produced using traditional pit tanning methods combined with modern finishing techniques, resulting in material that is both supple and durable for applications including leather jackets, boots, and small leather goods.

Shinki Chocolate Antique Horsehide undergoes vegetable tanning in pit tanks at the Shinki Hikaku facility in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The tanning process utilizes mimosa bark tannins, producing a characteristic pinkish-brown base color that serves as the foundation for the teacore effect. Production involves extensive drying and aging stages that can take up to four months to complete.

The leather is sourced from the loin and rump areas of horsehide, regions known for dense grain structure and durability. After tanning, the leather receives a full aniline finish, meaning no additional surface treatment is applied to hide natural characteristics. The chocolate brown pigment finish is then applied over the vegetable-tanned base, with oils and waxes added to create the initial surface appearance.

The leather measures approximately 1.2 to 1.3 millimeters thick, equivalent to 2.5 to 2.75 ounces in leather weight terminology. Full hides typically yield 14 to 16 square feet of usable material. The chocolate finish presents a polished luster with less waxy feel compared to other tanneries' horsehide products.

The aniline finish reveals natural grain characteristics including blemishes, veins, insect bites, and scratch marks from the animal's life. This full-grain uncorrected finish provides visual depth and authenticity but means each hide displays unique surface variations. The dense grain structure contributes to the leather's resistance to wear and dimensional stability.

Chocolate Antique Horsehide exhibits pronounced teacore characteristics due to its production method. The mimosa vegetable tanning creates a light brown base layer that contrasts with the darker chocolate pigmented surface. As the leather experiences wear through flexing, abrasion, and environmental exposure, the pigment finish gradually breaks down to reveal the lighter teacore underneath.

The aging process creates a patchwork pattern of wear that is unique to each garment or item. Areas of high stress such as elbow creases in jackets or toe flexion points in boots show teacore development first. The leather develops glossier, more vintage-looking qualities over time as oils migrate and the grain structure becomes more pronounced. Fully shrunken grains will pop up and create ripples, particularly after exposure to moisture.

Manufacturers utilize Shinki Chocolate Antique Horsehide primarily for leather jackets including biker and bomber styles. The leather's thickness and suppleness make it suitable for garments that require both protection and comfort. American and Japanese leather jacket makers commonly specify this material for premium product lines.

Additional applications include small leather goods such as watch straps, wallets, and accessories. The material's dense grain and aniline finish make it appropriate for totes, handbags, and clutches where surface character and aging patina are desired aesthetic qualities. Some bootmakers incorporate the leather into footwear designs, though it is less common in that application compared to jacket production.

Shinki Chocolate Antique Horsehide is available through specialized leather suppliers that distribute Shinki Hikaku products. As of 2025, suppliers such as RM Leather Supply offer the material at approximately $19.99 per square foot. Full hides can be purchased for large-scale projects, while smaller samples and cut pieces are available for craftspeople and small manufacturers.

The chocolate color availability fluctuates based on tannery production schedules. Shinki Hikaku, established in 1951, maintains its position as one of the few remaining tanneries specializing exclusively in horse leather production. The tannery's reputation for quality and attention to detail contributes to demand for its chocolate and other color offerings in the heritage footwear and leather goods markets.