Kōrozen Gamaguchi Wallet (Kyoto Gyoen Exclusive)

Founded in 1852, Kouichi Store has always pursued both tradition and innovation — a philosophy that is evident in all of our products.

This gamaguchi wallet is crafted from silk kimono fabric featuring a subtle cherry blossom pattern. In Japan, gamaguchi wallets are considered lucky charms for attracting wealth. The word “gama” comes from gama-gaeru (“toad”), and because “kaeru” also means “to return,” it is believed that money will “return” to you when using one.

The dye used here, known as Kōrozen, was once a kinjiki (“forbidden color”) that only the Emperor was permitted to wear. Dyed with haze (wax tree) and suō (sappanwood), its most distinctive feature is that it changes dramatically to a rich reddish-brown when exposed to sunlight.

Regarded as the most strictly prohibited of all imperial colors, it was rarely seen by anyone outside the Emperor’s closest attendants, earning it the name “the phantom dye.” While some believe it symbolizes the color of the sun, its exact origins remain unknown.

We invite you to enjoy the rare beauty and mysterious transformation of Kōrozen through this one-of-a-kind gamaguchi wallet.

How to use

The Gamaguchi-Wallet that fits in the palm of your hand is useful as a small purse.

It can also be used to hold drinking pills, eye drops, or regular medicine, or to store small items such as nail clippers or tweezers when traveling, so they don’t get bulky in the bag.

It can also be used as a snack bag by putting in small packets of snacks or candies to fill your stomach.

Price	¥6,000（＋tax）
Size	Width (max): 15cm Width (minimum) : 12cm Height : 12.2cm Gusset : 3cm
Material	Outer fabric: silk Inner fabric: polyester Clasp: iron
Note	The colors are adjusted to be close to the real ones, but please note that errors may occur depending on the monitor or other environment.