Le Zenibako
Trunk Bag · Black Epi Calfskin · blood-red suede lining · waterproof finish
Le Zenibako — from 銭箱, the Edo-period coin chest — is a small, structured bag drawn around a rectilinear silhouette. The body holds shape without padding because Montbelle Epi is firm by nature; the embossed Epi grain catches and releases the light differently from every angle, so the bag never reads as flat black. The waterproof topcoat means it can be carried in weather without consequence.
The interior is fully lined in blood-red full-grain suede — not the printed-fabric lining of mass-market bags, but a separate layer of leather, cut and set by hand. There is one slip pocket on each interior wall and a centre divider with a zip pocket. The lining colour is fixed; it does not vary. Black exterior, red interior, every Zenibako, every season.
- Dimensions24 × 18 × 12 cm · top-handle trunk silhouette
- Body LeatherMontbelle Epi Calfskin · Black · 5.0 oz / 2.0 mm
- LiningBlood-red full-grain suede · interior
- HardwareSolid 18k gold mark · gold-plated brass turnlock & feet
- Maison MarkSolid 18k gold · front face, centred
- ConstructionSaddle-stitched by hand · 9 SPI · Fil au Chinois Lin Cable · hand-waxed
- EdgesBeveled, sanded, and burnished · multi-coat tonal edge paint
- ProvenanceN/A · domestic calf
- Made inUnited States · ATELIER ZEN-Ō
- Dust bagTwo-layer 100% Grade 6A Pure Mulberry — exterior 170 gsm Matka silk linen (40 momme) + lining 150 gsm Westminster Duchesse silk satin (50 momme), 320 gsm together · traditional Japanese 100% silk Kumihimo Tsuka-Ito cord, 10 × 1.5 mm with Japan-brass fitting
- ReferencePAP-SS-26-0015 · Spring/Summer 2026
Montbelle Epi Calfskin is finished in Europe at a Conceria known for the embossed Epi grain — fine parallel lines struck into a full-grain calfskin and sealed with a waterproof topcoat. Read the full Montbelle entry in the Ultra Premium tier of the Leather Compendium. The black tone is dyed completely through, with a faint white centre on certain hides — a structural marker of full-grain leather, not a defect.
The interior suede is cut from full-grain Italian split-suede, dyed in a single saturated red — closer to oxblood than scarlet — and laid against the Epi exterior so that the front turnlock, when opened, frames the lining like a setting frames a stone.
The maison mark is solid 18k gold, set into the front face. The turnlock, the feet, the handle-attachment plates, and the detachable-strap clips are gold-plated solid brass to a 2.5 micron specification. Plated elements are warranted against tarnish for ten years; the gold mark indefinitely.
Epi is the most weather-tolerant leather the maison works with. Wipe rain off with a dry cloth and the surface returns. Avoid contact with the suede interior when transferring red-dye items (lipsticks, ink) — the lining will hold its colour, but the lining is fixed and not replaceable except by full restoration. Store in the dust bag, with the maison's stuffer pillow in place.
All ATELIER ZEN-Ō pieces carry a lifetime atelier care guarantee — re-edging, re-stitching, hardware replacement, and full restoration are performed at the studio at no additional cost for the original owner. Inquire at info@atelierzeno.com.
Each piece leaves the atelier in a presentation that is itself a small piece of work — assembled by hand, sealed by hand, and intended to be kept by the owner alongside the piece it carries.
- Dust Bag100% Mulberry Silk Linen · 170 GSM Matka weave · drawstring closure
- Atelier BoxCustom-cut, full-grain leather-lined · matched to the piece
- Outer WrapMulberry Hanji Kozo paper · hand-pressed
- ClosureAtelier wax seal · hand-pressed in maison gold
- Care GuidePrinted leather care document, archival paper
- Authenticity CardSolid brass · serialised · personalised to the owner
- Authenticity KeyJadeite jade · the atelier's verification key
Domestic shipping within the United States is sent signed, priority, and fully tracked, with insurance and signature on delivery. Overnight and 1–2 day expedited transport are available upon request, quoted at confirmation. International shipping is arranged individually and quoted at confirmation. Each piece ships in the atelier's full presentation packaging — see the Atelier Packaging section above for what is included.
Returns accepted within 14 days of delivery on Prêt-à-Porter pieces, in unworn condition with all packaging. For inquiries, write to info@atelierzeno.com.
Le Zenibako is cut, stitched, and finished at the atelier in the United States. The Montbelle is sourced from European Conceria, the suede is sourced separately and matched in-house, and the gold mark is set by the maison's bench-jeweller. The piece is in active production through the Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter windows.
The story of the maison's origin, including the four-pointed mark that gives the house its name, is told in Issue Nº 02 of the journal.