帆布について
About Hampu(Canvas)fabrics

帆布の基本情報をお伝えします。

Basic information on Hampu(Canvas) fabrics.

帆布とは

帆布とは…「細い糸を何本かひねり合わせて、それを平織という方法で織った布」のことです。１～１１号まであり、数字が大きくなるほど縦・横糸の密度が高くなり、目地も細かく、薄くなってきます。鞄で使われるのが８号～１１号あたりだと思います。

帆布で有名なのが“倉敷帆布”(岡山県倉敷市)で、国内シェアの約70％を占めています。その他に広島県尾道市、滋賀県高島市が帆布の産地として有名です(日本三大帆布産地)。

What is Hanpu (Canvas)?

"Hanpu" is the Japanese word for traditional canvas fabric. It is crafted by twisting multiple fine threads together and weaving them using a tight, plain-weave technique. Hanpu is categorized from No. 1 to No. 11; as the number increases, the weave becomes denser and finer, resulting in a thinner fabric. For bag making, No. 8 to No. 11 are generally preferred for their ideal balance of durability and flexibility.

Kurashiki Hanpu (located in Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture) is Japan's most celebrated producer, boasting a 70% share of the domestic market. Together with Onomichi City (Hiroshima Prefecture) and Takashima City (Shiga Prefecture), these areas are highly revered as Japan's Three Major Hanpu Production Centers.

帆布の特徴

帆布は①丈夫、②使うほど馴染んでいく、③通気性がいい、④水が浸透しにくい、といった特徴を持っています。とくに加工によっては水が浸透しにくくなったり、変色や型崩れに強くなったりもします。

後述しますが、パラフィン加工や洗い加工では帆布に汚れや型崩れしないように加工してあるため、水が浸透しにくくもなっています。しかし、反面では洗濯しにくいという点もあげられます。

Hanpu boasts the following unique characteristics:

1. High Durability: It is exceptionally strong and rugged.
2. Beautiful Aging: The more you use it, the more it softens and adapts to you, developing a unique character.
3. Breathability: It allows air to circulate naturally.
4. Water Resistance: The tight weave makes it naturally resistant to water penetration.

Depending on the treatment, Hanpu can become even more resilient against water, fading, and losing its shape.

For instance, special finishes like paraffin (waxed) treatment and washing treatment are applied to keep the canvas clean, help it hold its shape, and enhance its water resistance. Because of these protective coatings, please note that it requires special care and is not suitable for standard washing.

帆布の種類

主に綿と麻素材の帆布生地が豊富で、織られる糸によって「綿帆布」「麻帆布」と呼ばれています。また、ポリエステル素材で織られた「エステル帆布」もあります。

その中でも染色・加工をしていない綿帆布の生機[きばた]織りは、天然素材のためにお子様が触れても安心で、食品工場などでも利用されています。

また、帆布の加工方法も様々ありますが、代表的な例を以下に列挙します。

・洗い加工
何度も洗うことで、くったりとした柔らかい質感に仕上がる加工。ビンテージ感が醸し出されます。
・糊付け加工
見た目と手触りを良くするために生地に糊づけをすることによって、ハリやコシ、生地の安定性を高める加工。

・パラフィン加工
生地の中に蝋を染み込ませて防水機能を持たせる加工。

・シルケット加工
生地を引っ張りながら苛性ソーダ(水酸化ナトリウム)溶液中に生地を浸すことで、シルク(絹)の様な光沢と風合い、また強度や形状安定性も高くなる加工。

・撥水加工
水滴を弾き飛ばすために生地の表面に撥水剤を塗布する加工。

・樹脂加工
織物全体に化学系樹脂を浸して、繊維間の動きを止めるよう固定する加工で、風合い調整やほつれ防止効果を高める効果があり、かつ防シワ性を持つ。

・ラミネート加工
ビニールコーティングすることで、汚れや水分に強くなる加工。また裁断した生地がほつれず、生地にハリとコシがある。

・アクリルコーティング加工
クリル系の樹脂を生地の片面にコーティングする加工で、ラミネート加工に比べると防水性は劣るが、薄く仕上げることができるので軽い。

Varieties of Hanpu

Hanpu fabrics come in a wide abundance of varieties, primarily crafted from natural cotton or linen. Depending on the threads used, they are referred to as "Cotton Hanpu" or "Linen/Hemp Hanpu." In addition, there is "Ester Hanpu," which is woven from polyester for enhanced synthetic durability.

Among these, Kibata (生機) Hanpu* refers to canvas that remains completely undyed and untreated. As a pure, natural material, it is entirely safe for children to touch and is even utilized in food processing facilities due to its safety and cleanliness.

*Kibata: Loom-state fabric directly from the weaving machine before undergoing any dyeing or finishing processes.

Typical Treatments for Hanpu

There are various processing methods used to enhance the functionality and aesthetics of Hanpu. Here are some of the most typical treatments:

Washing Treatment (Bio-wash / Stonewash)
The fabric is repeatedly washed to break in the fibers, resulting in a soft, fluffy texture and a rugged, vintage look from day one.

Starching Treatment
Starch is applied to give the fabric extra bounce, crispness, and structural stability, improving both its appearance and tactile feel.

Paraffin (Waxed) Finish
A traditional technique where wax is deeply infused into the fabric. This grants the canvas excellent water resistance and creates unique "chalk marks" (creases) that develop character over time—perfect for motorcycle gear.

Mercerizing (Silket) Treatment
The fabric is treated with a caustic soda solution under tension. This process imparts a silk-like luster, enhances dye receptivity, and increases both tensile strength and shape stability.

Water-Repellent Finish
A specialized water-repellent agent is coated onto the surface, causing water droplets to bead up and roll off easily.

Resin Coating
The fabric is soaked in a chemical resin to lock the fibers in place. This treatment is highly effective for adjusting stiffness, preventing fraying, and providing wrinkle resistance.

Laminating (Vinyl Coating)
A thin vinyl layer is bonded to the canvas, making it exceptionally resistant to stains and moisture. It adds bounce to the fabric and prevents the cut edges from fraying.

Acrylic Coating
One side of the fabric is coated with an acrylic-based resin. While slightly less waterproof than lamination, it provides a much thinner, lighter, and more flexible finish.

「帆布」と「キャンバス」の違い

「帆布」と「キャンバス」とは、英語であるか日本語であるかの違いだけなので、同じものと認識して問題ありません。しかしメーカーによっては海外製のものをキャンバス、日本製のものを帆布ということがあります。また、同じような生地で「ダック(Duck)」というものがありますが、これはオランダの『リネン(亜麻)製キャンバス』という意味の『Doek[ズック]』から由来していると言われており、Cotton Duck, Duck clothとも呼ばれています。これも厳密にどう違いがあるかはわかりません。同等の品と認識して問題ないように思われます。知らんけどwww←関西人特有の表現※

Hanpu, Canvas, and Duck: What’s the Difference?

Essentially, "Hanpu" and "Canvas" are the exact same thing—it just depends on whether you say it in Japanese or English. However, in the market, fabrics manufactured overseas are often labeled as "Canvas," while those proudly made in Japan are called "Hanpu."

There is also another closely related fabric called "Duck" (or Cotton Duck / Duck cloth). Its name is said to derive from the Dutch word “doek,” which originally meant linen canvas. To be honest, the exact dividing line between Canvas and Duck is a bit blurry, so it's perfectly fine to think of them as equivalent items.　Shirankedo！※

※Shirankedo! (A famous Kansai expression that means, "At least, that’s what they say—but don't quote me on it!" Haha!)

「水通し」と「地直し」

買ったばかりの服を洗濯したら縮んでしまった…( ﾉД`)ｼｸｼｸ…

そんな悲しい経験ありませんか？あらかじめ生地を水に濡らしておくことで、縮みや色落ちの予防になり(水通し)、アイロン等で崩れや弛みを整えること(地直し)で、出来上がったかばんの仕上がりをきれいにします。当店のかばんは、必要なものに関しては、“水通し”と“地直し”をしています。面倒ですが、こうすることによって洗濯しても縮みにくく、長く使って頂けるかばんを作ることができるのです。

"You wash a brand-new clothing you just bought, only to find it shrank...😢"

Have you ever had such a heartbreaking experience? To prevent this, there are two crucial steps in traditional Japanese tailoring: "Mizutoshi" (水通し) and "Jinaoshi" (地直し).

By soaking the fabric in water beforehand (Mizutoshi), I can prevent future shrinkage and color fading. Then, by carefully ironing out any distortion or unevenness in the weave (Jinaoshi), the finished bag achieves a beautiful, structurally sound form. It is a time-consuming and meticulous process, but highly essential.

At Seven Bells Works, I proudly perform both Mizutoshi and Jinaoshi on our fabrics. By putting in this extra effort, I create rugged bags that resist shrinking even after washing, ensuring they remain your reliable companion for a long, long time.

帆布かばんのお手入れ

かばんは基本的には洗わないものです。しかし綿帆布の製品は洗うこともできますが、やはり丸洗いは避けるべきです。それは丸洗いすると型が崩れる可能性があるし、表面加工していたりするとはがれるかもしれないから。汚れのあるところには、水に中性洗剤を入れてやわらかいブラシでこするかトントンとたたいて落とすのがいいでしょう。

※詳しくは別ページを参考にして下さい。

Generally, bags are not meant to be washed. While Hanpu (canvas) products can be cleaned, you should never submerge or wash the entire bag at once. Doing so may cause it to lose its shape or ruin the special protective surface treatments.

To clean your bag, spot-cleaning is the best approach. Simply mix a mild, neutral detergent with water, and gently scrub or tap the stained area with a soft-bristled brush to lift the dirt away.

※For more detailed care instructions, please refer to our dedicated guide page.

帆布について About Hampu(Canvas)fabrics