
Social Products Award 2025 Social Products Prize
This is Japan's first award system that highlights excellent "social products" that contribute to the realization of a sustainable society, evaluating both their social and commercial value.

![Light as air [Mottainai] Hitoe® Fold Aria - Ortensia - v.2021 | Gentle hues of hydrangeas](http://syrinx.audio/cdn/shop/files/HitoeFoldAria-Ortensia.jpg?v=1761553580&width=2048)




This is the Hitoe® Fold Aria 2021 model, from one generation ago.
There are two differences from the latest model.
The first is the finish of the edges of the coin pocket and card pocket.
The second is a difference in width of about 3mm.
"Perfection is attained not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing more to take away."
These are the words of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of "The Little Prince."
The Hitoe® structure (registered design) prevents items from overlapping, while the minimalist design without metal fittings and the inner hook (patented) ensure smooth operation. The slipless design (Japanese Patent No. 7922958) prevents cards from falling out.
"The ultimate form of the Hitoe® Fold series, embodying minimal design and operability."
That is Hitoe® Fold Aria.
Through refined design and exquisite craftsmanship, it has been elevated to a breathtakingly perfected functional beauty.
“Ortensia” means hydrangea in Italian. This leather features beautiful pale tones created through a special white tanning process.
Aria, an Italian word, means "air."
It also refers to a lyrical solo song in opera or sacred music.
Thin, light, almost imperceptible like air, yet beautiful and full of originality. This is the "Aria" series.
Achieving thinness with the Hitoe® structure (registered design), which prevents cards and coins from overlapping.
・Maximum 5 layers of leather & no metal fittings
・Maximum thickness of 12mm when stored
(when storing 6 cards, 10 bills, 10 100-yen coins)
・Palm-sized 89mm x 91mm
・Airy lightness of approx. 30g
Can store up to 15 bills, 20 coins, and 6 cards. Even with ample storage, it remains thin.
All parts are finished with Double-faced-Jitate, a technique where two thin layers of skived leather are bonded together to form a single piece. This method, considered the ultimate luxury in leather products, achieves both strength and thinness. To finish it like a single piece of leather, without any lifting or warping when bent, requires extensive experience and skilled craftsmanship.
The edges are made by layering leather and stitching it on the outside. This is a commitment to "thinness." While folding the leather and wrapping it inside can make the size smaller, it results in overlapping layers of leather and increased thickness.
This detail is faithful to the ideal of a thin wallet.
While pursuing thinness, the leather retains sufficient thickness, and we value the leather-like texture with its firmness and suppleness.
We developed an inner hook (patented) that attaches to the cards instead of the outside of the wallet.
The wallet remains thin, with a smart leather hook that is invisible from the outside.
This idea made the metal-free, minimalist design of the Hitoe® Fold Aria possible.
Not only does it serve as a clasp, but it also prevents cards from falling out when carried.
The flat exterior simply sandwiches the leather. With no protruding metal fittings or flaps, it remains thin without anything catching in your pocket.
It is designed so that the inner hook will not come off if reversed. This eliminates the worry of opening it the wrong way and dropping coins.
The wallet can be easily opened and closed with a "V-shape" bending motion, from which the name "Fold" is derived. With this single action, the wallet remains upright, and all currency and cards can be smoothly inserted and removed.
Simply insert bills unfolded. They are highly visible and easy to retrieve. Since there are no creases or tri-fold marks, they are gentle to the recipient and slide smoothly into vending machines and self-checkout counters.
The bill holder design is continuous with the inner hook. Its curve acts as a guide, allowing for smooth insertion and removal without snagging.
When closed, the inner hook holds the cards, preventing them from falling out. Even when the wallet is open, the slipless design (Japanese Patent No. 7922958) makes it difficult for cards to fall out.
The sensation of sliding cards is premium, allowing for comfortable insertion and removal.
Temporary cards can be placed in the bill holder. This does not interfere with the wallet's opening and closing operations.
The coin pocket is shallow and has no metal fittings like zippers or snaps, allowing you to quickly and directly retrieve the coins you need.
When storing coins, the flap of the coin pocket guides them smoothly inside.
Furthermore, coins won't spill when the wallet is closed. Even when open, the coin pocket's flap helps prevent spills.
There's still plenty of room even when storing 999 yen (15 coins).
"Why is the golden ratio 1:1.62 beautiful?"
The golden ratio appears when squares with sides corresponding to the Fibonacci sequence (1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21...) are arranged in a spiral, as shown in the schematic below.
This Fibonacci sequence is hidden everywhere in nature. The arrangement of sunflower seeds, the spiral of seashells, the shape of typhoons, and spiral galaxies, to name a few.
Furthermore, this sequence can be found in art that has achieved ultimate beauty, such as the pyramids, the Parthenon, and Hokusai's Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji.
The beauty of the golden ratio is not merely in the ratio itself, but is created by the underlying Fibonacci sequence.
Therefore, what is important is not to make each part follow the golden ratio.
When the proportions from the details to the overall design form the Fibonacci sequence, which is deeply connected to the laws of nature and life, it results in a harmoniously balanced design that resonates with the heart.
Precise and delicate stitching, polished leather edges showing the layered leather, and a thin line pressed into the edge with a hot iron.
The Hitoe® Fold Aria pursues beauty down to the smallest detail.
Generally, most wallet problems are caused by metal fittings or stitching. However, the Hitoe® Fold uses no metal fittings whatsoever and has only four seams.
Furthermore, the corners, which are prone to wear, are reinforced with layered outer and inner leather for increased durability. The seam allowance is minimal, and the design is resistant to losing its shape even in trouser pockets.
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.
Ortensia, meaning "hydrangea" in Italian, is characterized by its beautiful pale tones.
Single butts (back to hip area) from Nordic cattle are used. After white tanning, the leather is dyed with aniline dye and then finished with a pigment spray. It is resistant to scratches and dirt, repels water, and hardly ages, so it can maintain its original appearance for a long time. The single butt is the densest and finest-grained part of the hide, providing a uniform and beautiful grain when embossed. LWG (Leather Working Group) Gold certified.
While this leather is resistant to scratches, dirt, and water, if it gets wet, wipe it off immediately and regularly remove dust from the surface with a soft cloth. For more details, please refer to here.

Pale Pink
Pale Blue
Sand Beige
* Displayed colors and actual colors may vary slightly due to monitor environment or lot differences.
The Hitoe® Fold series has received 20+ awards and selections in Japan and abroad, including the iF DESIGN AWARD (Germany), the Red Dot Design Award (Germany), the Chicago Good Design Award (USA) and the German Design Awards (Germany), and was named an IDEA (USA) Finalist. It has been highly praised for its minimalist design and comfortable usability.

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This award recognizes particularly outstanding challenges among over 10,000 projects implemented on the crowdfunding service CAMPFIRE.
From June 2021 to February 2025, the Hitoe® Fold series achieved the remarkable feat of sweeping all the top three spots in Japan for crowdfunding totals raised for bifold wallets. (*Based on our own research)









Opening and closing the wallet smoothly is easier if you follow these steps.
【Opening】Bend the seam between the coin pocket and card pocket into a "V" shape, and the inner hook will naturally disengage. There is no need to touch the inner hook directly.
【Closing】While lightly holding the top, bend it into a "V" shape in the same way, and the inner hook will naturally catch on the card.
This is because the inner hook is hooked on the outside of the wallet. Please make sure to hook it only on the cards you are storing.

The card pocket is intentionally designed to be slightly tight so that it does not become too loose, which may make it feel tight at first. Over time, it will gradually adapt to your usage and become a perfect fit, making cards easier to take out.
If it is still too tight, try taking one fewer card out and putting it back in several times to break in the leather before using it.
When the wallet is closed, the inner hook catches the cards, so they will not fall out.
Even when open, the cards are less likely to fall out because of the non-slip treatment.
The Hitoe® Fold Aria and Hitoe® Fold Less, with a slip-resistant design (Patent No. 7922958), are even less likely to fall out.
Please note that when the wallet is laid flat horizontally, the non-slip treatment is less effective, as shown in the video.
The wallet has a cover that prevents coins from spilling out, so they will not spill out during normal use. As the leather breaks in, it will become even more secure.
Please note that because this wallet has a vertical design, coins are more likely to spill out if you open it horizontally like a typical bifold wallet.
When putting the wallet in your pocket, store it so that the coin pocket is vertical to reduce the sound of the coins. This also makes the coins automatically align more easily.
You can rest assured that if you turn the wallet upside down, the inner hook will not disengage, and the wallet will not open.
The front can be identified as follows (for right-handed users).
Please choose based on the hand you use to handle money and cards.
Recent magnetic stripes have strong magnetic resistance, so there is no problem stacking them. It also has no effect on IC chips even when stacked.
However, older magnetic cards may have weakened magnetism, so as a precaution, we recommend storing them in a different direction so that the magnetic stripes do not overlap.
The Hitoe® Fold series pursues not only its slimness when stored, but also its compact vertical and horizontal dimensions. We have prepared materials comparing the storage conditions and external dimensions of representative slim wallets and mini wallets.
View "Comparison of stored sizes of slim wallets and mini wallets"
| Product Name | Hitoe® Fold | Hitoe® Fold Aria | Hitoe® Fold Less |
| Construction |
Single-piece construction Thick leather with no lining |
Double-faced-style construction The ultimate luxury in leather products, joining thin leather pieces |
|
|
Prevents cards from falling out Slipless |
△ | ◯ | |
| Dimensions | W86 × H89 mm | W86 × H91 mm | W86 × H91 mm |
| Weight | 36 g | 30 g | 29 g |
| Thickness (thickest part) |
6 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 |
| Max Capacity |
6 -7 cards 20 coins 15 banknotes |
6 cards 20 coins 15 banknotes |
3 cards 15 coins 15 banknotes |
* Card counts assume non-embossed cards.
* Hitoe® Fold can hold 7 cards once the leather has broken in.
Designer: Hirotaka Sato
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![Light as air [Mottainai] Hitoe® Fold Aria - Ortensia - v.2021 | Gentle hues of hydrangeas](http://syrinx.audio/cdn/shop/files/HitoeFoldAria-Ortensia.jpg?v=1761553580&width=2048)






