Tochigi Earth #2 Orange Beige

Tochigi Earth #2 Orange Beige is produced using full-vegetable tanning, a traditional method that relies exclusively on natural tannins extracted from plant materials. The process begins with raw cowhides that are immersed in a series of 160 pits filled with tannin solution. The tannins are extracted in-house from the bark of Mimosa trees sourced from Brazil.

The tanning process requires a minimum of 20 days of immersion, during which the hides gradually absorb the tannins. The full tanning cycle extends to 90 days before the leather is considered ready for drying. The mimosa tannin used by Tochigi Leather has an ultra-low concentration of salts and acids, with a pH typically around 4.6–4.8. This low pH level contributes to the leather's chemical stability and reduces its susceptibility to oxidation over time.

The orange beige color of the #2 variant is achieved through vegetable dyeing processes that work in conjunction with the natural tones produced by mimosa tanning. The color designation "#2" distinguishes this variant within the Tochigi Earth line, which offers multiple color options.

Following the tanning phase, the leather is air dried thoroughly for approximately two months. This extended drying period allows the leather to stabilize naturally without the use of artificial heat or accelerated drying methods. The natural drying process helps maintain the cellular integrity of the animal hide, which contributes to the leather's structural characteristics.

The finishing treatments applied to Tochigi Earth follow the company's general approach of minimal surface treatment to preserve the natural characteristics of the vegetable-tanned hide. This allows the orange beige color and the leather's natural grain to remain visible and develop character through use.

Tochigi Earth #2 Orange Beige shares the core physical characteristics common to all Tochigi Earth articles. The leather combines suppleness with durability, a balance that results from the natural vegetable tanning process. The mimosa tannin produces leather that maintains the cellular integrity of the animal hide better than many alternative tanning methods, resulting in a material that is both pliable and resistant to deformation.

The leather has a firm temper while remaining elastic enough to conform to use without losing its structural integrity. When fashioned into goods, the leather changes texture through handling and wear but maintains its shape due to the firmness imparted by the extended tanning period. This combination of flexibility and structural stability makes the leather suitable for applications requiring both comfort and long-term shape retention.

The orange beige color provides a warm, natural aesthetic that distinguishes this variant from other Tochigi Earth colors. The color presents earth tones with orange-beige hues that create a versatile appearance suitable for various leather goods applications.

Like all vegetable-tanned leathers from Tochigi, the #2 Orange Beige develops patina through regular use and exposure. This transformation occurs as the leather absorbs oils from handling, exposure to sunlight gradually affects the surface, and the natural grain becomes more pronounced through flexing and wear. The orange beige tones deepen and gain visual depth over time, creating color variations specific to each item's pattern of use.

The patina development is considered a desirable characteristic of vegetable-tanned leather, as it creates individuality that increases over the product's lifespan. The leather softens with use while retaining the structural firmness established during the tanning process, allowing it to become more comfortable without becoming loose or losing its form.

Tochigi Earth #2 Orange Beige is suitable for various leather goods applications where the combination of the orange beige color, durability, and aging characteristics is valued. The leather's firm temper provides structure for items requiring shape retention, while the material's ability to develop patina appeals to consumers interested in products that visually reflect their history of use.

The orange beige color makes the leather appropriate for both contemporary and traditional design aesthetics. When used in leather goods, the warm earth tones complement natural materials and casual styling, while the vegetable-tanned characteristics ensure the items will develop unique character over time.

The leather's specifications align with typical Tochigi Earth articles, making it suitable for applications including bags, wallets, watch straps, and accessories where vegetable-tanned leather with distinctive color is desired. The minimal surface treatment preserves the natural characteristics that allow the orange beige color and grain pattern to remain visible as the leather ages.