Shinki Natural Shrunken Horsebutt

The natural color designation indicates the leather receives no dye applications during the tanning process, resulting in the inherent pale tan tone of vegetable-tanned horse hide. This untreated surface allows the leather to develop patina gradually as it absorbs oils and darkens through exposure to light and handling.

The tannery manufactures the leather using production methods similar to those used for shell cordovan. The full production cycle requires 10 months, including two months with hides submerged in tanning pits followed by three to four months of natural drying. The extended timeline allows the vegetable tannins to fully penetrate the hide structure while the natural drying process contributes to the leather's characteristic grain pattern.

The leather contains the shell portion of horse hide but processes as horsebutt due to the smaller hide dimensions. This processing approach produces leather with the distinct shrunken grain texture while maintaining the density and durability associated with shell cordovan production methods.

The shrunken grain texture results from the extended vegetable tanning and natural drying process. The grain pattern provides both visual texture and structural durability, with the dense grain structure resisting wear while developing character through use.

An aniline finish applied to the natural leather surface allows for patina development over time. The finish permits the leather to absorb oils from handling and darken gradually through light exposure, creating a patina that ages slowly with what the manufacturer describes as a mellow darkening process.

The tannery was established in 1951 in Himeji, Hyogo Prefecture. The family-owned operation operates as the only facility worldwide that specializes exclusively in horse leather processing. With over 60 years of leather manufacturing experience, it handles the entire production process from raw horse hide through finished leather.

The company's specialization in equine leather allows focused development of processing techniques specific to horse hide characteristics. This singular focus has positioned the tannery as a supplier for heritage bootmakers seeking premium horsehide materials for footwear applications.