ABOUT THE CRAFTSMAN
Crafting leather goods is not just a skill - it’s an art.
Craftsman and owner Takeshi ‘Yone’ Yonezawa started leatherwork nearly twenty years ago in Tokyo, Japan. A former guitarist, he started working with leather as a hobby, but it slowly became a passion. Leather is now the canvas of choice for Yone’s creativity (although he still jams on his guitars from time to time) and treats each product as a functional art piece.
"I choose leather because it naturally changes with a person. Products may look the same at the beginning, but once a piece belongs to someone, it begins to share the journey with its owner. Each piece ends up telling a story - no other material can do that.”
Modern-Day Renaissance
In a world of speed and consumption, Yone slows it down to invest in his work. It’s not about creating for profit, but rather creating with the intent to change the perception and standards of quality leather goods. A craftsman in the maker movement and a firm believer that handmade = better, countless hours of effort and thought are spent going the extra mile to blend together ancient Japanese assembly, Western styles of carving, and European luxury to create ‘perfect’ pieces. It literally took Yone ten years to make a wallet that he was satisfied with.
"I strive to create perfect leather goods that combine flawless execution, balanced form and function, and beautiful design fully knowing that they become a part of people’s lives."
Born in Japan. Made in the U.S.A.
YONEZAWA LEATHER products are all exclusively handmade by Yone in Portland, Oregon. Each leather and material used are respectfully hand-selected from local and international leather suppliers in the U.S., Europe, and Japan to ensure quality, durability and considered manufacturing.
Each Yonezawa Leather product comes with a lifetime guarantee by its maker and a promise to embody true craftsmanship, authenticity and modern functionality.
AWARDS AND ACCOLADES
2019 Judge, Untooled Category
2018 Judge, Untooled Category
2017 1st Place Untooled Category
2016 1st Place, Stand Alone Category
2013 3rd Place, Carved Western Saddle
International Federation of Leather Guilds
2019 Judge
2017 1st Place & Best of Category, Wall Hanging Category
1st Place & Best of Category, Wallet Category
2016 Best of Show
1st Place, Stand Alone Category
1st Place & Best of Category, Carved Bag Category
1st Place, Carved Wallet Category
Leather Crafters and Saddler Journal
2021 Featured Article
2018 Featured Article
2017 Featured on the Cover
2017 Featured Article