Nanafu

USHIWAKA

Ushiwaka

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Why We Made This

Only the footwear remained.

While coordinating yukata, haori, and obi, footwear was always the last thing left. When I wanted to go out wearing a yukata, I didn't have a single pair of shoes that could be used with both Western and Japanese clothing. I didn't want to leave that feeling as it was.

This idea has been nurtured for about four years, starting around the second year after launching the brand. However, I couldn't release something half-baked. There was no point in releasing something that had the same problems as existing geta. So, I had been waiting for the right opportunity.

Encounter

There was someone in Asakusa
facing the same problem.

The turning point was meeting KUTSUNE, a shoemaker who is the third generation in the same Asakusa area.

KUTSUNE began to address this issue after a conversation with a Buddhist monk.

"I often wear setta, but they are very tiring."

Why are setta tiring? Setta are not designed to conform to the shape of the foot. With each step, the foot and setta easily shift out of alignment, causing constant strain on the toes. This is also part of what makes setta unique—their "chic" appeal comes from maintaining their ancient form. However, for those who wear them for long periods, they inevitably became tiring footwear.

Technology

We fundamentally changed
the thong structure.

Traditional setta are designed to support body weight at a single point at the front of the thong. This causes foot pain when walking for long periods, or makes you lose momentum at festivals. You buy them because you like them, but they end up gathering dust in the back of your shoe closet—this is why those experiences happen.

USHIWAKA uses a loop-shaped thong. Body weight is distributed across the entire instep, so the heel doesn't lift off the ground. You can run. You can climb stairs. You can walk on the stone pavements of Asakusa all day long.

This structure is currently patent pending.

Materials

A pair of shoes for
"using good things for a long time."

We adopted sheep leather for the upper. When it touches your bare feet, the unique suppleness and warmth of the leather are directly transmitted. It's a material that adapts to your feet with use.

The sole is made by Vibram in Italy. It combines grip and durability, providing a reliable ground feel on city streets and stone pavements.

Spec

Where to Experience Now

JCC (Japan Creators Collections)

USHIWAKA is currently on display at JCC (Japan Creators Collections), a select shop in Asakusa featuring Made in Japan products. You can pick it up and try it on.