FASHION

2026.08.10

That leather bag calls for a fortune. Interview with Satoru Irei about the unreleased "TOUR RECORD" collection

The high-end leather brand "TOUR RECORD" has many NFS (Not For Sale) bags that are not commercialized and remain unreleased. What is the reason behind these elusive bags?

Undeveloped bags that are not yet for sale in TOUR RECORD, what is the reason for this?

These are bags that have not been developed into products and remain unreleased, in other words, phantom bags. Along with the leather bags shown here, there are about 20 to 30 more, all of which belong to Satoru Ireijou, the representative and producer of TOUR RECORD. Why haven't they been developed or released?

Photography/Editing: Daichi Kato

BiS Co., Ltd.
Representative Director: Satoru Ireijou
Born December 22, 1994, from Kanagawa Prefecture. In April 2021, he established BiS Co., Ltd. in Ayase City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and began agency operations related to television publicity. He produces various brands including leather products like "TOUR RECORD" (Tuur Rekoodo) with leather wallets and jackets, and high-end sukajan "JacksonSquare Tokyo Shibuya" (Jakuson Sukuea). His latest book is "The Compass for Entrepreneurs" (Published by Fast Book).

Leather bags that were never intended to be commercialized from the beginning

―― It seems that many of the bags here have the TOUR RECORD brand stamp, but why haven't they been released for sale in the first place?

Yirimon: "These are works made by leather craftsmen, some of which I ordered as one-of-a-kind pieces, and some were gifts from the craftsmen. When I talked to them about the philosophy of making things, they would create something based on that. Each has its own circumstances, but I never intended to commercialize them from the start. There's also a part of me that has the spirit of a collector, just gathering things I like. Since they were originally made for my personal use, to be honest, there are things I don't want to sell."

"When did this unreleased collection start?"

Yirimon: "I guess it's been about 4 years since I started. It was before the brand was launched. Recently, the number of products has really increased. Once you get hooked, you think, 'I want to try making this too,' and gradually the lineup expands. Of course, among them, there are products that we have released as TOUR RECORD items. From among many works, I only commercialize those that I have actually used and truly believe are good."

"I see, so it's not that the TOUR RECORD lineup is determined at the level of the products themselves, but rather that their value is decided based on actual usage."

Yireimon: "Yes. It feels like I'm making it together with the leather craftsman. The design I created uses cowhide, but I decided to try redoing it in horsehide, making it a bit more high-end. In that process of trial and error with the products, I try out things that haven't been released yet, and before they become commercial products, I sometimes give my favorites to juniors or end up wanting someone to use them."

The surface has the appearance of a high-end line, which could be called "the face of the TOUR RECORD," but the back has a playful aspect with a mark of "M." This too is an unreleased item.

The joy of "creating," "delivering," and "increasing camaraderie" not just limited to marketing.

--- In such processes, many phantom works that don't get commercialized are born.

Yireimon: "Yes. However, I don't think that process of trial and error is wasteful. When discussing my philosophy with the craftsman through the works, the philosophical aspects of the brand also get conveyed, right? As a result, I'm now building (visualizing) that, and the number of friends who understand it is increasing. As I've been repeating that kind of making, I've realized that, indeed, things have started to accumulate too much."

The processes necessary for trial and error, and how each completed piece turns into work through the hands of people, is true. That said, what specifically is the "key factor" that is leading to the decision for the release in TOUR RECORD?

Yirimon: "The key factor is when someone says 'I want it' or when they use it and say 'This is good.' I feel there is a need where there are people who desire it."

Cinematography/Edit by Daichi Kato

"Does that mean it serves as the driving force behind manufacturing?"

Irie Mon: "It's not just that; I have joy as well. Although I wasn't receiving orders back then (in the early days), there was always the joy of receiving products. How should I put it? The moment something I ordered arrives, it makes me really happy. When I ordered leather products that I designed myself from a craftsman and received ten of the same items, I felt the same joy as when I ordered one for myself. I believe that this joy shouldn't change even if it becomes a business. There are responsibilities that come when it goes beyond being a hobby and turns into work, but I'm really happy that I can experience various joys, like the joy of creating and the joy of seeing my community grow."

As the number of companions increases, the "encounters" and "destinies" evolve into work.

Irei-mon: "That's right. Speaking of connections, it's a bit of a roundabout story, but there's an event at a sushi restaurant I always go to where they make sushi with Okinawan fish. There, I met a fisherman from Miyako Island, and we decided to try free diving together, so I actually went to Miyako Island. When I was there, I was introduced to a leather craftsman from Miyako Island, and that craftsman then asked me, 'Do you know this person from Korea?' I didn't, but I said I'd reach out, and when I did, they came to Tokyo right away, and now I'm working with that person."

―― It seems that the connection between shaping the image in Irei-mon's mind, getting reactions from those around him and the people close to him, and then having craftsmen shape it again has turned into teamwork for the job.

Model: Yuika Takahashi, Shunsuke Takebayashi.

Irei-mon: "That's right."

―― Perhaps it means that when you create good things and good leather products, connections with people are formed.

Irei-mon: "There are aspects where I feel something fateful about what I'm doing. The designers, artisans, and my colleagues collaborate to bring what is in my head to life. They shape everything, which makes it incredibly interesting when it becomes work."

A leather bag engraved with "MADE IN SEOUL." After many encounters, Irei-mon has developed a deep trust with partners in Korea and has begun to create better leather products.

The "connections" made by the brand TOUR RECORD

model: Yui Takahashi, Shun Takebayashi.

―― The unique items and pre-commercial leather bags created for Irei-mon here each have their own connections that link people together. If someone picks up a TOUR RECORD product, that too becomes a connection.

Yireimon "Good leather grows as you use it, doesn't it? I think everyone who loves leather feels the same way, and it's truly wonderful to see it develop. Because it's good leather, I want someone to use it, and I want many people to nurture it. When I start wanting to share this joy, it means that it's a connection with the people who will take care of it."

The scarred expression of this leather case is stylish. "I thought of making this as a tablet case, but (its size is) so convenient that I ended up using it without putting a tablet in it," they say.

―― Many unreleased leather bags. Yireimon cherishes these nameless bags, each with their own story. If one day they find their way into someone's hands, it will create new connections. And if they become part of the TOUR RECORD lineup, we too can become part of that connection.

Photography/Editing by Daichi Kato

TOUR RECORD Official Site https://tourrecord.jp/

Retail Stores
National Point
5th Floor, Koito Building, 6-12-4 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
About a 3-minute walk from A5 exit of Toei Oedo Line Tochomae Station
About a 3-minute walk from E4 exit of Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line Nishi-Shinjuku Station
Business Hours: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (irregular holidays)
TEL: 03-6900-4713
https://shop.nationalpoint.jp/
LINE: https://lin.ee/RvkTyUo<

TOUR RECORD also deals in leather jackets. You can try on one at the retailer in Shinjuku, National Point.<br>
Photography & Editing: Daichi Kato

Bag Photography & Editing: Daichi Kato, Model: Yuka Takahashi, Yushun Takebayashi, Interview, Photography & Text: Masashi Kakino

Search leather cream on Amazon