Looking for a travel bag that isn't a backpack. CaBas' sashi-ori (quilted weave) bag is perfect for a compact overnight trip 

We're surrounded by all kinds of things in our daily lives, and we're constantly making choices, often without even realizing it, about what to buy. There are many different criteria for choosing, but items that are truly appreciated through everyday use tend to be the ones focused on "functionality." The "bag" we're introducing today is one such item. In this article, we'll introduce a CaBas bag that one of our staff members chose for an early-spring trip.

In search of a smart travel bag for domestic trips.

One of our staff members had been searching for a bag to take on short domestic trips, but hadn't quite found "the one." A backpack had become her go-to for travel—convenient because it keeps both hands free—but she found herself bothered by how sporty it made her outfits look. So, while browsing bags in preparation for the upcoming spring holidays and Golden Week, her eye happened to land on the gardening bag.

The one she chose was in BLACK

She says the more she imagined pairing it with clothes she already owned, the more she became interested. What eventually sealed the decision were its generous capacity and the toughness that lets you pack in plenty without worry. She was also strongly drawn to its shape, which she doesn't often see elsewhere.

"When it comes to travel bags with handles, there's everything from leather Boston bags to canvas bags with lots of pockets that look distinctly outdoorsy. Among all these, this gardening bag struck me as having a classic elegance while still feeling soft thanks to the canvas fabric—it's just really lovely! That's what made me decide to buy it."

scarfwrapped casually around it also looks lovely.

What caught her attention was how it combines the best of cotton and leather.

"I was curious about what kind of bag this could be—a cotton material that's easy to care for, yet one that also lets you enjoy the changes that come with years of use," our staff member said. This is also one of the reasons CaBas has so many loyal repeat customers. A natural material like cotton that's easy to care for, combined with the way, like leather, it lets you enjoy the changes that come with age through long use. What makes both of these possible is the sashi-ori weave used in CaBas bags.

The distinctive sashi-ori weave. It's a fabric that has long been passed down in Japan, traditionally used for fire-resistant clothing and martial arts uniforms.

A bag that combines the gentleness of cotton with the coolness of leather. There's something convincing about the background of sashi-ori, a weave that has long been used almost like a tool in Japanese daily life. Let's hear a review from our staff member, who has now been using it for about a month.

After actually starting to use it.

She got this gardening bag about a month ago. She says the shape already feels a bit softer than when it was brand new.

"I keep the shoulder strap attached even when I'm not using it. The knot is so cute, it's one of my favorite details."

✓ What did you discover after using it?

・A soft touch and a beautiful shape

"The fabric has a slightly bumpy texture and feels nice to the touch. It's gotten softer with use, but I haven't noticed it getting dirty in any particular way. Also, maybe because the fabric is thick, no matter what I put inside, it doesn't seem to interfere with the bag's shape—I can carry it and still keep a clean silhouette, which I really like."

・Pairs easily with any outfit

Coat: Black Watch check coat, Pants: brushed cotton twill pants, Sneakers: MARATHON CLASSIC ALL GREY sneakers

"Regardless of the season, having a bag with some volume makes it easier to balance out an outfit as a whole. In summer especially, when I'm wearing something casual like a thin cut-and-sew top or a T-shirt, I sometimes felt a backpack looked a bit too sporty. This gardening bag seems like it can add just the right touch of grown-up elegance."

Wearing it over the shoulder gives it a completely different feel, too.

✓ What fits inside?

"I actually tried packing it as if for an overnight, two-day trip.

(What I packed: a change of tops and underwear (placed inside an Organizer S), a folding umbrella, a pass case, a wallet, a makeup pouch, and a paperback book to read while traveling)

If you're staying at a hotel on a domestic trip, room wear, towels, and amenities are usually provided, so this is really all I need. Even with everything packed in, the bag doesn't look overstuffed—there's a bit of room to spare. Having a solid gusset is convenient, and since there's a bottom board to keep it from losing its shape, it's reassuring that you can pack heavier items without any worry."

For stashing your phone or pass case for a short while, the front pocket works well.

✓ Does it change from when you first started using it?

"At first, the bag felt a bit crisp and stiff, but it's gradually softened up. Even so, it hasn't gotten too soft. I'd like to keep it maintaining its beautiful shape while letting it become a softer bag over time as I use it.

It's more maneuverable than a carry case, so it seems handy for getting around on trains or up stairs without any trouble, and it should give a quite different impression compared to when I use a backpack. I'm already looking forward to bringing it along on my spring trip."

Asking the Brand Director, What Makes CaBas Special.

For this feature, we also borrowed a bag actually used by Kanetani-san, the brand's director.

Even the scuffs on the flap are proof of a well-loved bag. They make the whole bag look even cooler.

Kanetani-san, the brand director. She also shared her thoughts on the brand with us.

Kanetani-san: It began when we encountered the sashiko-ori (quilted weave) fabric made by Tanei Kobo, a long-established sashiko-ori manufacturer, and were drawn to both the material and the workshop's craftsmanship, something we felt could be a source of pride to the world. Wanting to reconsider the traditional material and the workshop's carefully passed-down techniques, and to present them in a new way that felt more familiar and approachable, we started our collection with the tote bag, an item that feels universal and close to everyone.

First of all, Tanei's sashiko-ori has a distinctive feel against the skin. If the reverse side were uneven, it would rub against the skin during a judo match and cause welts, so the back of Tanei's sashiko-ori has been improved to reduce that unevenness and be gentler on the skin.

Beyond that, it's a fabric you can enjoy watching change over time. Since it originated as material for judo uniforms that touch the skin directly, it also molds itself to your body the more you use it as a bag. Much like leather that develops character over time, bags made from sashiko-ori fabric take on a different texture depending on the person using them, and that changing expression is part of the charm. Because the sewing is done by hand by skilled craftspeople, with proper care these bags can be enjoyed for many years. 

The original-size 1DAY Tripper Bag that we borrowed. Compared to a new one, it still had some firmness but had also become soft and relaxed.

Left: a brand-new 1DAY Tripper Bag Mini, Right: the borrowed 1DAY Tripper Bag

Another thing that sets it apart from other fabrics is its strength, sturdy enough to be used for judo uniforms, and its resistance to friction and overall durability. While bags made from canvas or cotton fabric are limited to a two-dimensional expression, I believe sashiko-ori, as a three-dimensional fabric, holds new possibilities as a cotton textile.

We also have many customers who come back to buy again, and I think that's because the more you use these bags, the more they mold to you and the more attached you become. Many customers keep using their bags through repairs, and many also look forward to each new model we release.

Mostly replacing handles and shoulder straps. We consult with the workshop, taking into account how the customer has used the bag and whether leather is involved. For example, if only the handle of a well-used bag (the part not made of sashiko-ori) has worn thin, it's difficult to neatly sew new, stiffer cotton onto the softened sashiko fabric, so after examining the condition of the fabric, we propose whether to replace the entire handle or reinforce it partially. For any other inquiries, we consult with the workshop case by case, and do our best to return the bag to the customer in the best possible condition.

Currently, our designs are created mainly by Japanese designers working together with the craftspeople at Tanei Kobo. I think it matters a great deal that the people who know the fabric best are also involved in the design process.

The Gardening Bag chosen for this feature has a front pocket that's a functional feature not found in other shapes. Since it doesn't use leather, you can wash the whole thing if you remove the bottom board. It's a popular shape regardless of gender.

Bringing Sashiko-ori Bags Into Everyday Life, by Scene

Beyond the Gardening Bag, CaBas offers a variety of shapes. Since they can be used differently depending on the occasion, we introduce them here along with newly shot outfit coordinates.

▶ Mini 1DAY Tripper Bag

"For commuting, and for days off too."

Coat: CAVALRY TWILL Coat, Top: Border Cut-and-Sew BREST ECRU/MARINE, Pants: Marine Pants, Shoes: Wingtip Leather Shoes WHITE

This design is distinctive for its combination of sashiko-ori fabric and leather. The more you use it, the more character both the sashiko-ori and the leather develop, letting you enjoy the changes over time. With its leather flap, unlike a casual tote bag, it's a design you can carry for both smart-casual and formal occasions, on or off duty.

Use the back pocket for things you reach for often, like your phone or commuter pass.

▶ Micro Shoulder Small

"For days off when you want to travel light. "

Jacket: Collarless Jacket, Skirt: Check tiered skirt: , Shoes: wing tip Dark Brown

When you want to keep your belongings to a minimum, the Micro Shoulder is perfect. It's just the right size for carrying the essentials—a phone, coin purse, handkerchief, and the like. You can also use it separately from your main travel bag, packing your passport, phone, and wallet inside as a sub-bag to carry around at your destination.

▶ Laundry Bag

"For a quick walk nearby."

One-piece dress: 5oz CHAMBRAY One-piece Dress, Sneakers: SHELLCAP MOULD MID KURO/OFF WHITE

This is a somewhat unusual vertical laundry bag design for a mini tote. It's just the right size for a quick errand nearby, and since the bottom is round and lets it stand on its own, you can also use it as a storage box when you're not carrying it. Like the Gardening Bag, it doesn't use any leather, so if it gets dirty, you can simply throw it in the washing machine—a nice feature for everyday use.

Editor's note: Enjoying, little by little, how the bag softens and settles in over time.

After hearing from the brand director again, our staff member said she's grown even more attached to her own Gardening Bag. According to Kanaya-san, some people deliberately wash the bag right from the start to soften it up, but our staff wants to enjoy watching it change little by little, so she's holding off on that for now. She's thinking of giving it a try after about a year has passed. "It's not quite showing signs of age yet, but I'm enjoying it slowly, at my own pace," she said, looking quite satisfied.

>>Click here for the CaBas brand page