The meat is often used in food while the skin is used for leather or samegawa.  Our skins are of higher quality than most obtained from China or India.  They have larger naval knots (oyatsubu), more consistent and thicker skin (lower quality skin can be seen through and have holes, inconsistent nodes, discolorations).  These skins have been used to supply well known tsukamakishi in Japan, as well as the USA.

These have gone through a tanning process and are soft, pliable, and luxurious.  They are used for many things, from wallets, jewelry, bags, bows and arrows, but are not typically used for tsuka or saya on swords.  These are high quality dyed leather skins.  These skins are polished almost uniform, to a glossy finish.

Sizes are general:

Small -- around 6 inches wide by  13 long.

Medium-- around 8 inches wide by 16 long.

Large -- around 11 inches wide and 20 inches long.

Extra Large are at least 12 inches wide and up to 30 inches long (average probably around 24)

Row Stone around are 8 inches wide (average) to 35 inches long.