News Popular imperial wallets soon on sale again

Appearance-wise, the wallets are disarmingly simple. They feature the chrysanthemum crest, a symbol of the Imperial Household, and come in a range of styles, including clasp wallets, long wallets, and coin purses, priced from around ¥1,200 to ¥5,000. So why the obsession? Part of it is quality. Made from genuine leather with careful stitching and solid construction, the wallets are still reasonably priced compared to high-brand counterparts. Shoppers consistently remark on how "luxurious" they feel in hand despite their unassuming appearance. Then there's the simple design: The wallets come in gold, silver, yellow and also pastel hues like pink-beige and muted neutrals. Steering away from flashy logos or decorations, they are embellished only with a tiny chrysanthemum motif in gold foil. These wallets aren't mass-produced either, with only around 100 made per day. At the same time, their surprisingly low price point is also intentional. According to the Kikuba Cultural Association, which oversees the sales, the organisation operates as a public interest foundation and does not prioritise profit. By sourcing wallets directly from contracted factories, they can keep costs down without compromising on materials or craftsmanship.

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An association representative said, "They were featured in TV programs in succession, and interest seemed to grow due to their perceived 'good luck.'" Apparently, there were days when more than 1,000 people lined up before the gardens' opening, and on other nights, seven or eight people began waiting in line late at night. The association, established in 1993 as a foundation, had been selling these wallets and purses for some time but had "no recollection of them having experienced this much popularity," the representative said, bewildered. "At one point, we issued numbered tickets, but our limited number of staff couldn't handle the situation. We couldn't ensure the safety of customers lining up overnight, so unfortunately, we had to suspend sales," the representative told the Mainichi Shimbun.

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