A visit to Kashimax Saddle

As mentioned in my previous post, last weeks “The Katana Project” event/party was held at the Kashima Saddle Manufacturing Co., Ltd. in Osaka. Already knowing about Kashimax saddles and having met Kashima-san before, I had always wanted to get the chance to go and visit his company.  During the event, both KCDC and myself were giving the opportunity to not only see the Kashimax private showroom, but also the chance to see the area where Kashima-san makes his legendary saddles by hand. Once again, a big thank you to Kashima-san!

A view from the showroom. Handmade saddle porn at its finest. Saddle overload to say the least!

A earlier vintage saddle from Kashimax. The company has been around since 1942!

For those not aware, Kashimax did a collaboration with English fashion design Paul Smith. Several of these saddle designs were up on the wall as well as photos of Kashima-san and Paul Smith together.

A saddle signed by Koichi Nakano, ten-time world champion track racing cyclist.

KCDC...finally allows FiN to take a real photo.  Must have been the shock caused by the saddle porn overload.

The tatami space where Kashima-san hand makes the saddles.

Kashimax is the sole saddle supplier for the men's Keirin track bikes here in Japan.

Some left over material from a Futura designed saddle for the "The Katana Project"