The Cultural History of Clasp Purses: Memories and Aesthetic Sense Residing in Clasp
The Cultural History of Clasp Purses: Memories and Aesthetic Sense Residing in Clasp
- A lineage of crafts for everyday life that weaves together Western technology and Japanese poetic spirit -
Introduction
What is a clasp? To that question, many people might answer "a coin purse" or "a retro wallet." However, a clasp is more than just a tool. It is the crystallization of a lifestyle culture that has been passed down across time and regions, a poetic object woven from metal and fabric.
This article traces the origins of the clasp, its introduction to Japan, and its contemporary cultural reinterpretation, examining its aesthetics and social significance.
The birth of the nozzle in Europe
The prototype of the clasp purse dates back to Europe in the 16th to 18th centuries. In England and France in particular, decorative metal fittings called "chatelaines," which women wore around their waists, were popular, and there was a culture of hanging keys, sewing tools, perfume bottles, and other items from them. To store these small items, cloth pouches with metal clasps appeared, and eventually shapes known as "frame purses" and "kiss lock purses" became established.
The sound of the clasp opening and closing was recognized as part of elegant behavior in high society, and clasps established their position as a craft that combined practicality and decorativeness. After the Industrial Revolution, advances in metalworking technology made it possible to manufacture clasps more precisely and in larger quantities, and clasps became widely popular among middle-class women.
Introduction to Japan and changes in etymology
Gamaguchi purses were introduced to Japan during the period of civilization and enlightenment in the early Meiji period. A merchant named Yamashiroya Kazusuke brought back leather products with clasps he had seen in France and England, and together with artisans in Kyoto, he improved the shape to suit Japanese clothing. In Japan, they came to be called "gamaguchi" because their shape resembles the mouth of a toad, and they became popular as lucky charms.
The word "gama" (frog) gives the meaning of "money that comes back (kaeru)," and it has also been treated as a symbol of prosperous business and good fortune. Initially, it was called a "Western Doran" or "Gama Kinchaku" and was used as a small item holder hung from the waist, but with the spread of paper money, it began to play a role as a wallet.
The brass clasps were carefully crafted by artisans of ornamental metal ornamental wares (kanzashi) and obi-dome clasps, and the intricate workmanship resembled small works of art. The fabric was decorated with Japanese patterns and auspicious motifs, and the clasp was not only a practical item, but also served as an accessory that reflected the owner's aesthetic sense.
The aesthetic sense and folk symbolism of clasp purses
The appeal of the clasp purse is not limited to its functionality. The act of opening and closing it has a rhythm of sound and movement, and it acts like a mirror that reflects the owner's personality and lifestyle. The sound of the clasp clicking brings a sense of nostalgia and security, adding a touch of poetry to everyday life.
Furthermore, attention to detail is also evident in the selection of fabrics and designs used for clasps. Japanese patterns that express the seasons, natural motifs, and auspicious designs are used, and clasps have also served as a medium to express the owner's aesthetic sense and cultural background. During the Showa period, clasps that matched Japanese clothing became popular, and they became a part of the "memory of life" that was passed down from mother to daughter.
The clasp purse has also functioned as a folk symbol. Since ancient times, frogs have represented "safe return" and "good fortune," and have been popular as talismans for safe travels and financial luck. The clasp purse has also been a subtle device for incorporating such beliefs and wishes into everyday life.
Reinterpretation in the Modern Age: WABISUKE's Challenge
The clasps made by the modern brand WABISUKE are not just a nostalgic hobby. They are poetry woven from tradition and playfulness, vessels that gently scoop up the beauty hidden in the everyday. For example, the design of white swirls dancing on green cloth is perhaps a memory of the wind or the whisper of water. The clasp speaks quietly to the owner, staying close to their heart. "It gently wraps up your time."
While WABISUKE's products are centered around the technical element of the clasp, they redefine the clasp as a "modern craft for everyday life" through the selection of fabrics, precision of stitching, and poetic quality of design. This is not simply product development, but an act of cultural inheritance and creativity.
WABISUKE's clasps have also evolved to fit in with modern lifestyles. They are available in a variety of shapes to suit different uses, such as pouches, pochettes, and tote bags, and are characterized by designs that blend naturally with both Japanese and Western clothing. Their approach of preserving tradition while harmonizing with modern sensibilities is a true example of the idea of "learning from the past to create something new."
Purse and the inheritance of memories
A clasp purse is not just a wallet, but also a container that holds memories. The clasp used by your grandmother, the clasp in which you put your first pocket money, the clasp you found while traveling... Each one has its own story, and layers of time are piled up inside it.
Every time we hear the click of the clasp, we are reminded of the atmosphere of seasons gone by. The clasp is also a device for locking away memories and then opening them up again. WABISUKE's clasps gently support the passing on of such memories with a modern sensibility.
Conclusion
The clasp purse is where metal and fabric meet, and where technology and poetry intersect. The Western craft of clasp purses met with Japanese handcraftsmanship and poetry, and were sublimated into the culture of the clasp purse.
WABISUKE's clasps carry on this cultural legacy while bringing a new poetic sentiment to modern life. We hope that when someone reads this text 100 years from now, the sound of the clasp of the clasp will open the door to distant memories.