A wallet as light as air
Hitoe® Fold Aria -Mushroom-
Advanced materials made from mushrooms
concept
Light as air and beautiful
"Aria" means "air" in Italian, and is a beautiful melodic solo song.
As its name suggests, this wallet is so light, thin and beautiful that you'll forget it's there.
About Mushroom Leather
Cutting-Edge Sustainability in Your Pocket
We present a new possibility for a sustainable future by fusing “KINOLI™,” Japan’s first mushroom-derived leather alternative, with traditional cowhide leather.
The exterior is made from “KINOLI™,” a material born from thin layers of mushroom mycelium.
The interior features vegetable-tanned leather, crafted in Tuscany, Italy, using methods passed down since the 14th century—fully biodegradable and rooted in nature.
This innovative blend of KINOLI™ and traditional vegetable-tanned leather serves as a bridge to a more sustainable tomorrow.
technology
Innovative ideas and exquisite craftsmanship
| Patented technology: Inner hook
This patented technology uses the card itself as a fastener, resulting in a thin, flat design without the use of metal fittings. The wallet will not open if the card is placed upside down, so there is no need to worry about coins accidentally spilling out.
｜Ultra-thin Hitoe® structure
The "Hitoe® Structure" allows cards, coins, and bills to be arranged without overlapping, resulting in an amazingly slim design without sacrificing storage capacity. The leather overlap is also limited to a maximum of five sheets.
Even if you store 10 bills, 15 coins, and 6 cards, the thickness is only 12mm * .
* Thickest part excluding coin pocket
| Top-quality unrivaled tailoring
"Musou" tailoring creates a texture as smooth as a single piece of leather by gluing two pieces of leather together. This tailoring, which combines durability and elegance, requires the intricate and skilled techniques of the craftsman.
| Slip-free design (patent pending)
Cards can be inserted and removed smoothly at all times, and they are less likely to fall out unexpectedly.
design
The harmony of beauty and function guided by the laws of nature
| The ultimate in functional beauty
"Perfection is when no more can be removed" -- Saint-Exupéry . Through sophisticated design and exquisite craftsmanship, we have pursued thinness, lightness, and functional beauty.
｜The Laws of Beauty Born from Nature
The proportions of this wallet incorporate the beautiful harmony of nature depicted by the Fibonacci sequence.
Every time you pick it up, you will feel its balanced beauty that touches your heart.
| Aesthetic sense in details
Delicate stitching, carefully polished leather cut surfaces, and thin lines on the edges.
The aesthetic sense found in the details gives depth to the appearance of this wallet.
｜Details for thinness
The leather is sewn on the outside to minimize overlap.
These details are faithful to the ideal we aim for.
| Beauty created with just leather
There are no metal fittings or flaps. It's a simple design that just clips onto the leather. There's nothing unnecessary so it won't get caught on anything and you can carry it smartly anywhere.
| Durable and beautiful for a long time
No metal fittings are used, and the stitching is placed in a location that will prevent wear and tear.
The corners, which are prone to damage, are reinforced with layered leather to improve durability.
In addition, the seams are extremely thin, so the design is such that the garment will not lose its shape even when placed in a pocket.
Ease of use
Make your daily activities simpler
｜One-action comfort
Just bend your wallet into an "U" shape and you can instantly take out your bills and cards.
Makes paying at the register smooth and smart.
｜ Don't fold the bills, just leave them as they are
Bills are stored as is, without creases, making vending machines and self-checkouts easy to use.
| Temporary cards are also beautiful
The bill holder can hold cards that you don't use often. It doesn't affect the opening and closing of the wallet, and it's easy to take out.
| Coin pocket that is easy to access and doesn't overflow
The coin pocket is a simple design without zippers or hooks. The shallow pocket and short flap make it easy to take out coins and prevent them from spilling. It has a storage capacity of more than 15 coins (999 yen).
| Compact Yet Global
Surprisingly, many currencies around the world are larger than Japan’s ¥10,000 bill or ¥500 coin.
This wallet accommodates most of them, making it comfortable to use even when traveling abroad.
| Keep your pockets comfortable
It's so thin that you'll forget you're even carrying it in your pocket.
Make minimalist choices in your daily life that will lighten your spirit.
About Mushroom Leather
About Mushroom LeatherOrigins
Japan's first mushroom leather.
The surface is not covered with synthetic resin, andthe natural coloring and unevenness of the mushroom's mycelium as it is, gives it an attractive look. The brownish area is the result of the mushroom's attempt to growand no two pieces are alike in terms of pattern and color shade.
Tanning and Manufacturing
Thin layers of mushroom mycelium are tanned and coated with a natural protein called casein, without dyeing or coloring. The natural finish makes the most of the individuality of the material.
Contains no PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PU (polyurethane), making it an environmentally friendly material that is recyclable and returns to nature.
Maintenance
Although the material is delicate to water, it has natural patterns and shades and blends well with stains and dirt. As it ages, the more it is used, the shinier it becomes.
Since it is less oily than cowhide, we recommend that you touch it often or maintain it regularly with Natural Beeswax.
Color
The Hitoe® Fold series of small, thin wallets have won a total of 18 awards, including the world's most prestigious iF Desing Award, Red Dot Award, Good Design®, and German Design Awards, and are highly acclaimed for their minimalist design and comfortable operation.
Awards
iF Desing Award 2023
Hitoe® Fold Less
One of the most prominent and prestigious international design awards, the Hitoe® Fold Less Design Award is presented by the Hannover Industrial Design Association in Germany and is open to industrial products from all over the world. It is one of the three major design awards in the world.
Good Design Award 2022
Hitoe® Fold Less
The world's oldest design award, presented by the Athenaeum Museum in Chicago since 1950, was established by Edgar Kaufman Jr. of MoMA (Museum of Modern Art, New York) along with such modern design pioneers as Charles and Ray Eames, Russell Wright, George Nelson, and Eero Saarinen. The award was established by Edgar Kaufman Jr.
It is not related to the Good Design Award in Japan, but is a globally valuable award along with the Red Dot Design Award and the iF Design Award.
German Design Awards 2023
Hitoe® Fold Less
The Hitoe® Fold Less is an international design award sponsored by the German Design Council, established in 1953. Only products that have been nominated by the German Design Council are eligible for the awards.
DFA Design for Asia Awards 2022
Hitoe® Fold Less
Established in 2003 by the Hong Kong Design Centre, this international design award recognizes outstanding design from an Asian perspective. Awards are judged and presented from four perspectives: overall design excellence, technical applicability, Asian influence, and commercial and social success.
DNA Paris Design Awards 2022
Hitoe® Fold Aria
The DNA Paris Design Awards are global design awards that honor the best designers in the fields of architecture, interior design, landscape design, graphic design, and product design.
Omotenashi Selection 2022
Hitoe® Fold Less
This award was established to discover and promote to the world the best Japanese products and services that are full of the spirit of Omotenashi. The award is given to products and services that are born out of consideration for the people who use them, and that have been improved upon while carrying on the traditions of the past.
A' Design Award & Competition 2022
Hitoe® Fold Aria
This is one of the world's largest design competitions to select the best design, design concept, product or service. It is recognized worldwide as a barometer of design quality and perfection.
iF Desing Award 2022
Hitoe® Fold Aria
One of the most prominent and prestigious international design awards, the Hitoe® Fold Aria is a design award organized by the Hannover Industrial Design Association in Germany, which judges industrial products from all over the world. It is one of the three major design awards in the world.
Red Dot Award 2022
Hitoe® Fold Aria
One of the world's top three design awards and one of the most prestigious international design awards, with over 10,000 entries from companies, organizations, and designers in more than 60 countries each year. Organized by the Design Zentrum Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany.
London International Creative Competition 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
Aimed to serve as a medium to connect talented artists with international audiences, the competition attracts artists from around the world, with juries consisting of luminaries from six disciplines (architecture, interior design, art, graphics, photography, and products) and based in London, where internationally acclaimed artists are gathered, The awards have been held annually since 2006.
IDA Design Awards 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
The IDA Design Awards were established in Los Angeles in 2007 to identify and recognize outstanding design visionaries in a wide range of fields. Comprised of five categories including architecture, interior design, product design, fashion, and graphic design, each year's awards bring together the finest entries from the world's most talented designers.
NY Product Design Awards 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
The awards, which were newly established in 2021, are organized by the International Award Associate (USA) and specialize in product design.
The awards aim to recognize outstanding product designers who enrich our daily lives.
MUSE Design Awards 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
One of the international awards programs organized by International Award Associate (USA), which aims to create new value standards in design.
The award is presented to designers who combine unparalleled creativity and technical skills, such as "The Muse".
European Product Design Award 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
This design competition was created to recognize the efforts of talented international product designers. From thousands of design projects submitted from around the world, a jury will select the most beautiful, functional and innovative products.
K-DESIGN AWARD 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
An international design competition organized by DESIGNSORI, a Korean design portal. It is one of the three most prestigious design awards in Asia, along with the Golden Pin Design Award and the DFA Design for Asia Awards.
Omotenashi Selection 2021
Hitoe® Fold Aria
This award was established with the aim of discovering and spreading excellent Japanese products and services with a spirit of hospitality to the world. The award is given to products and services that are "uniquely Japanese" and have a "unique appeal" that should be shared with the world, and are selected for their particular skills born from consideration for the people who use them, and for their ingenuity in making improvements while carrying on tradition.
Omotenashi Selection 2020
Hitoe® Fold
This award was established with the aim of discovering and promoting to the world products and services that are brimming with the spirit of excellent Japanese hospitality. The award is given to products and services that are born from the consideration of the user, and that have been improved upon while carrying on the traditions of the past.
Campfire Crowdfunding Award 2020
Hitoe® Fold
This award is given to the most outstanding project out of more than 10,000 projects on the Campfire crowdfunding site.
Crowd Funding
The Hitoe® Fold series has achieved the feat of dominating all of Japan's all-time top three places in terms of the amount of money raised by crowdfunding wallets. (*As of February 28, 2022)
2020
51,795,439 yen, 3500 people
Hitoe® Fold v.2020 -Liscio-
Achieved the highest amount of crowdfunding for a wallet in Japan
2021
78,540,000 yen, 2,480 people
Hitoe® Fold Aria -Foschia-
Achieved the highest amount of crowdfunding for wallets in Japan
Sweeps the 1st and 2nd places in Japan's history for wallet crowdfunding
55,481,020 yen, 2959 people
Hitoe® Fold v.2021 -Liscio-
Sweeps Japan's all-time top three wallet crowdfunding crowdfunding
2022
25,944,600 yen, 873 people
Hitoe® Fold Less -Foschia-
13,002,000 yen / 394 people
Hitoe® Fold Aria -Ortensia- & Hitoe® Fold Aria -Monocromo-
16,816,016 yen / 1,130 persons
Hitoe® Fold -Liscio
Crowdfunding
The Hitoe® Fold series achieved the remarkable feat of dominating Japan's top three bi-fold wallet crowdfunding campaigns for the five years from June 2021 to February 2025. (Based on our own research)
2020
51,795,439 yen, 3,500 people
Hitoe® Fold v.2019 -Liscio-
Wallet crowdfunding reaches highest amount in Japan
2021
78,540,000 yen, 2,480 people
Hitoe® Fold Aria -Foschia-
Wallet crowdfunding reaches highest amount in Japan
55,481,020 yen, 2959 people
Hitoe® Fold v.2021 -Liscio-
Wallet crowdfunding takes top three spots in Japan's history
2022
25,944,600 yen, 873 people
Hitoe® Fold Less -Foschia-
13,002,000 yen, 394 people
Hitoe® Fold Aria -Ortensia- & Hitoe® Fold Aria -Monocromo-
16,816,016 yen, 1,130 people
Hitoe® Fold v.2021 -Liscio-
2023
40,282,000 yen, 1,831 people
Hitoe® Fold v.2023 -Liscio-
Crowdfunding reaches a cumulative total of 400 million yen
2024
1,782,000 yen, 45 people
Hitoe® Fold Aria -Mushroom-
2025
12,971,200 yen, 536 people
Hitoe® Fold v.2025 - Antico -
Q&A Hitoe Fold Series
Q&A Hitoe Fold SeriesQ. I can't open and close it smoothly. Is there any trick to it?
To open and close your wallet smoothly, follow the steps below.
[When opening] Bend the border between the coin pocket and the card pocket into a "U" shape and the inner hook will come off naturally. There is no need to touch the inner hook directly.
[When closing] While lightly pressing the top, bend it into an "U" shape in the same way, and the inner hook will naturally catch on the card.
Q. My wallet becomes distorted when closed.
This is because the inner hook is attached to the outside of the wallet, so make sure to only attach it to cards that you store inside.
Q. It's difficult to remove cards and it feels cramped
The card pockets are intentionally designed to be a little tight so that they do not become too loose, so they may feel cramped at first. However, over time, they will become more snug and easier to access.
If the bag is too tight at first, try using one less layer and taking it in and out several times to allow the leather to become accustomed to the bag before using it again.
Q: Will the cards fall out?
When the wallet is closed, the inner hooks catch the cards so they won't fall out.
The case has an anti-slip coating so cards are less likely to fall out even when open.
In particular, the slip-less design (patent pending) of the Hitoe® Fold Aria and Hitoe® Fold Less makes them even less likely to fall.
Please note that the anti-slip properties will be less effective if the wallet is laid horizontally.
Q. Will the coins spill?
The wallet has a coin-proof lid that will not spill out with normal use. As the leather breaks in, it becomes even more stable.
Please note that because this wallet has a vertical design, coins are likely to spill out if opened horizontally like a typical bi-fold wallet.
Q. I'm bothered by the sound of coins.
When you put your wallet in your pocket, if you store it with the coin pocket vertically, the coins will not make any noise and will be easier to line up automatically.
Q. Should I choose right-handed or left-handed?
If you use your right hand to insert and remove cards or coins, select right-handed. If you use your left hand, select left-handed.
Q. Will the coins spill out if I open it upside down?
Don't worry, if you turn the wallet inside out, the inner hook will not come off and the wallet will not open.
The surfaces can be identified as follows (for right-handed users):
- No stitching on the right side
- The right side is the side where the card looks wider
Q. Can the magnetic stripes of cards be stacked?
Modern magnetic stripes are highly resistant to magnetism and can be stacked without any problems. Also, stacking IC chips has no effect.
However, the magnetic properties of old magnetic cards, such as bank cards, may have weakened, so as a precaution we recommend storing them so that the magnetic stripes are not touching each other.
Hitoe® Fold Series Comparison Chart
Hitoe® Fold Series Comparison Chart| Hitoe® Fold | Hitoe® Fold | Hitoe® Fold Aria | Hitoe® Fold Less |
| Production Method | One-piece tailoring Unlined thick leather |
Fold Less The ultimate luxury in leather goods: thin leather laminated together |
|
| Prevents cards from falling out Slipless |
NG | OK | |
| Size | W86 x H89 mm | W89 × H91 mm | W89 × H89 mm |
| Weight | 36 g | 30 g | 29 g |
| Thickness (thickest part) |
7 cards 10 100-yen coins 10 banknotes when stored 13 mm |
6 cards 10 100-yen coins 10 banknotes when stored 12 mm |
3 cards 6 100-yen coins 10 banknotes when stored 9 mm |
| Maximum capacity | 7 cards 20 coins 15 banknotes |
6 cards 20 coins 15 banknotes |
3 cards 15 coins 15 banknotes |
Number of cards assumes embossless cards
specification
specificationRelated Articles
Choose options