“Fannie Mae”
When you get to know the people who make things, the way you see their tools changes just a little bit.
This time, we had JINDAIJI MOUNTAIN WORKS (commonly known as JMW) create a bespoke waist bag for Circles.
Its name is,“Fannie Mae.”
Before introducing the bag itself, I want to start by writing a little about JMW, the people who made it.
JINDAIJI MOUNTAIN WORKS
When I talk with the JMW crew, the conversation never quite ends up staying within the confines of just “outdoor gear.”
We might start off talking about the mountains, only to end up discussing music or old gear.
Rather than saying, “This is superior because it has these specs,” it feels more like the things they find interesting, the things they’ve used, and the cultures that have influenced them are all directly tied into their craftsmanship.
Of course, the absolute prerequisite is that the tool must be functional. But perhaps JMW’s charm lies in the fact that they don’t explain everything solely through rationality.
What’s amazing about them is that they truly are masters of play. Whether it’s hiking, trail running, cycling, fishing, etc., they don’t get bogged down by genres and simply enjoy various activities. Every year when we hold a POPUP STORE at Circles, they arrive a day early to go out for a ride with the whole Circles team. The time we spend together is genuinely fun, and for me, those rides are the highlight of it all.
Play comes first, and the tools follow
When talking with Jackie, the creator of JMW, a certain sentiment often comes up:
That is, if you can’t find what you want, you should just make it yourself.
The spirit of MYOG (Make Your Own Gear) is naturally rooted in JMW’s craftsmanship.
This is also evident in the products they sell, as they even offer fabrics and cords by the meter, as well as MYOG kits.
First, they play. And while doing that, if they think, “It would be nice to have something like this,” they try making it.
They take what they’ve made out into the field, and through trial and error, they use it repeatedly.
It feels like craftsmanship where the tools are cultivated little by little while playing, rather than being completed at a desk.
At the same time, it’s impressive how they lower the hurdles to play.
You don’t have to be an expert, and you don’t have to push yourself too hard. Because after all, it’s just play.
They often share thoughts with that kind of nuance.
There are tricks to setting up a tarp, but they don’t insist that one way is the only right way—you should just use it the way you like. I find charm in the fact that their products retain that sense of freedom, embodying the spirit of JMW.
We had a bespoke waist bag made
Let’s get back to the bespoke Circles waist bag, Fannie Mae.
What they made for us this time is a compact waist bag.Whether you’re riding a bike or just heading out to run a quick errand, it’s a very simple waist bag that you can wrap around your body after tossing in your wallet, keys, smartphone, and other odds and ends.
Actually, this Fannie Mae is usually sold by JMW only at events—it’s not officially listed as part of their regular product lineup! As JMW’s first product, it has been gradually improved through changing fabrics and specifications while being sold at events.
I am deeply moved that they were so willing to adopt such a carefully nurtured Fannie Mae as a Circles 20th anniversary product. Thank you so much!
As for colors, we’ve prepared three that feel true to Circles: RED / GREEN / BLACK.
The fabric is pack cloth, which was widely adopted across the outdoor industry in the 1960s and 70s. It’s a good, classic fabric with great color development, it’s lightweight, abrasion-resistant, and retains a bit of that rustic charm.
And as a special feature, we had them add a nice, big reflector. Because cyclists love reflectors!
(By the way, the RED version comes with a yellow reflector, reminiscent of Royal Mail messenger bags.)
For this project, we also had a special JMW patch made as a double-name logo featuring the 20th-anniversary branding. As you use the Tyvek patch, it develops creases, which just adds to the character.
It fits just enough: a wallet, phone, keys, and handkerchief. It also holds pens and a paperback book.
There’s also a slim pocket on the back side of the main compartment (the side against your body).
The back pocket also includes a holder to attach your keys.
The belt length is highly adjustable, and the excess can be rolled up and secured.
CIRCLES ORIGINAL JINDAIJI MOUNTAIN WORKS meets Circles 20th Fannie Mae
RED / GREEN / BLACK
¥9,350
Jackie was the one who named this bag.
When I asked, “Why Fannie Mae?”
the answer wasn’t about the bag at all—it was about the blues.
Jackie told me about bluesman Buster Brown’s “Fannie Mae.”
It’s a bright, lighthearted blues song with a memorable harmonica riff.
The name of the bag was borrowed directly from that song.
And what’s interesting is that waist bags are also called “fanny packs” in English. “Fanny” is a cute slang term for your backside.
“Fannie Mae” and “fanny pack.”
Whether that was the reason he named it that way, or if it was a pun that layered on afterward, the ambiguity somehow suits this bag perfectly.
As I listened, Jackie went on to talk about Memphis blues.
Playing the harmonica raw without plugging into an amp.
Memphis blues has influences from country music, which is why it has a somewhat bright sound despite being the blues.
And finally,
“The name is cute, isn’t it? Fannie Mae.”
That was his final comment.
I only meant to ask about the naming of the bag, but before I knew it, I was listening to stories about the blues for a while. But perhaps this is exactly where JMW’s craftsmanship comes through.
