幸運なことに、私はいくつかの日本のビスポーク シューズ メーカーの靴を所有してきましたが、これらの靴で常に驚かされているのは、模範的な製造方法です。例として、福田洋平による上記の靴を見てください。アッパーの完璧な閉鎖、完璧にトリミングされ積み重ねられたヒール、完璧なブラインド ウェルト ウエスト、正確なソール ステッチとウェルト仕上げなどをご覧ください。これとは違う方法で靴を作ることはできますが、基本的にそれをより良くすることはできません。
以前にも書いたように、日本のビスポークシューメーカーだけがこの基準に到達できるわけではありませんが、それを達成するために必要な技術と献身を持つメーカーの集中度は、世界のどこよりも高い.それに加えて、西ヨーロッパに比べて日本では一般的にビスポークシューズの価格が良いという事実があり、すべての毛羽立ちが何であるかを理解するのは簡単です.これがなぜなのかの説明は、明らかに確立するのがより困難です。卓越性を追求する日本人のメンタリティー、伝統的な職人技、人口が多いという事実が、いくつかの説明を与えてくれます。いずれにせよ、来年の 3 月にもう一度日本を訪れて、パンデミックのためにあまりにも長い距離を移動した後、これらすべてに再び近づくことができることを楽しみにしています。





Hi Jesper,
Difficult to disagree, though I think the common theme that comes up is obviously the difficulty of getting to the maker for multiple meetings.
Have you had any pairs by Masaru Okuyama? Simon from Permanent Style said he had recently relocated to London.
Sam: Yes of course, but trend is that more and more Japanese makers are doing trunk shows in Europe and the US (of course, stopped now during Covid but hope it will pick up again when things open up more).
Yes, he has moved permanently to London now, works out of South Kensington I believe. Have no personal experience, but he has a good reputation.
I happen to have experience with Mr. Okuyama, and I must say, his work is immaculate! I have 2 shoes from him and a third in the making and already planning my 4th. What I especially love is a truly blind waist like I’ve never seen done before. To achieve this but allow the shoe to keep its structure without collapsing with use, is the ingenious support inside. Anyway, as was mentioned, yes, I wholeheartedly agree that Japanese makers are a group of artisans unlike most. Another Japanese maker is Floriwonne who made a cap toe for me that’s blown me away. I have already requested a second one from him as well. Last note: none of these shoes have seen the pavement or out of doors. They’ve all been purchased during pandemic! I enjoy supporting them during these times.
Rodney Robles: Alright cool, glad to hear you’ve had positive experiences with both Okuyama and Floriwonne! And it’s indeed great with people like you who decide to support these makers at these times.