Kamé (カメ) is Japanese for Turtle. In Japan, the turtle is a symbol of longevity, persistence, determination, endurance and long life. The Japanese believe that the turtle symbolises our peaceful walk on this earth. Whether it’s peace of mind or a peaceful relationship with our environment.
Turtles are also known for taking it slow. Real slow. They are one of the oldest creatures on earth, and are considered to be one of the wisest. They have acquired their wisdom one day at a time and are the living embodiment of slow. The Japanese believe that when a turtle appears to you in a dream, then it's time for you to slow down.
Kamé apply this philosophy to everything that they do.
We believe in walking when everybody else is running. We believe in putting acquired wisdom to good use, which means investing in the people who make our products.
We believe in making things in a low impact way. This not only effects the choices we make on our raw materials but also the design of the bags themselves. All of our fabrics, leather and trims that we use are made in Japan.
We keep our products simple by using fewer components and keeping proportions in balance. That means that we limit the sources of raw materials. The more simple a design, the more functional it will be, and the longer it should last.
We believe in balance of design and balance in life. The people who make our products enjoy a quality work-life balance. They will have better lives and make better products. Simple maths.
We believe in sustainability. This means we invest in quality and in people. We don’t own the factory that makes our products, instead we choose to work with them because they share our values. When most of the craftsmen have worked in a factory for more than 20 years, then it’s a good sign that they like their job.
We believe in the turtle and it’s slowness. In an era dominated by a passive consumption of cheap and synthetic products, we believe there is an alternative. We believe in sharing this know-how with people who appreciate it. Quality and pride come at a price, that is priceless. We want to help you carry your home on your back (figuratively speaking) and, like a turtle, to feel at ease wherever you are.