They say, "The clothes make the man," but a briefcase is just as important for a salaryman. It is not only a symbol of his profession but also an indispensable part of his accouterments, something he can't leave home without.
Ginza Tanizawa, located on Tokyo's famous main street, sells everything from travel bags to ladies' casual bags, but their original briefcases, the Dulles bags, are perhaps their most famous item. "We don't like to compete with European brands," says Hiroshi Takahashi, managing director of Tanizawa. "I think that the European tradition is also great, but we have an obligation to keep our own tradition."
The Dulles bags are synonymous with Tanizawa. The bags, which the store has dubbed the "Symbol of Peace," are a Tanizawa original, which they've made since 1951. That's the year when U.S. President Truman's Secretary of State, John F. Dulles, came to Japan on a peace mission. He inspired the bag's style and slogan since he was often seen carrying a similar briefcase during his stay.