“Handwork/Kazusho Adachi”

Hello everyone. This is staff member Adachi.

Last December, I went on a factory tour to Kikkabo with my senior staff member Hiroaki.Click here). We were given information about the process of making leather shoes, saw the many tools lined up in a small space, had our feet measured, and even had the opportunity to touch and look at Kikkabo 's original leather shoes and sandals that are not available in the SOU・SOU store... We had a great time to explore the space, which was full of things I had never heard of before.


This photo shows how the leather is nailed to the mold. The hole on the back of the heel is because the leather is fixed with a nail like this, and is said to be a sign that it is handmade. Each shoe is carefully made like this...Handmade work is so beautiful.

The rows of shiny, polished leather shoes were as captivating as a snowy field lit by the morning sun that no one had stepped on yet. Attracted by the light, Adachi half told himself, "I've come all the way to Kikkabo, so I might as well order a pair of shoes!" and took the plunge and ordered a pair of shoes just for himself from Nojima! His very own Kikkabo, which he had longed for, was finally about to come into the world.



They are taking measurements of each foot. They also check the height of the instep. I have never been more concerned about foot odor than I was at that moment. I wonder if it was okay...


Here is a picture of me taking a picture of the eternally unanswerable choice of what color to use for the leather between the bottom of the shoe and the Body. I had already decided that the color of the Body shoes would definitely be Brown brown! But I had no idea that there was such a pitfall... He made color samples on the spot, and I was so worried that I thought smoke would come out of my head.

After the measurements were taken and the color was decided, all that was left was to wait patiently for the shoes to be completed. I left Kikkabo factory under the cold December sky and headed home feeling happy and satisfied.




――― And eight months later




I finally got my long-awaited, personal Kikkabo!! Here are the shoes I chose!!



SOU・SOU x Kikkabo Five-Piece Length Sungo (coming soon to the SOU・SOU net shop)


Originally they were lace-up shoes, but we had them changed to a zipper design.


The heels are also in a men's style and were actually made from a mold. Not only are they beautiful, but they're also stable and easy to walk in!


I've already put on the shoes and walked a little, so there are already some wrinkles, but these wrinkles will become my own shape. Leather shoes are really cool. I'm going to wear them little by little as we get closer to autumn, and enjoy wearing my own SOU outfit along with my autumn outfit.




bonus


The heroic figure of SOU・SOU Kei-i Shop Manager Masaru Kawakami, who photographed us this time

(Thank you so much, Shop Manager Kawakatsu!)




Notice

You can order our collaborative leather shoes with Kikkabo at the following Retail Stores and our online shop.

SOU・SOU online shop　SOU · SOU Tabi　SOU・SOU Kikoromo　SOU・SOU Kei-i

Kikkabo 111-2 Keikaincho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto 602-8406 TEL.075-414-0121

*It currently takes 8 months for delivery.

*If you would like to change the specifications or Body color that are not listed on SOU・SOU net shop, please contact Kikkabo directly.




Japan has a wide variety of handicrafts, including traditional crafts and techniques handed down from generation to generation. When I receive a piece like this, I realize just how luxurious and blessed it is to be able to wear or use a one-of-a-kind handmade item, created one by one by artisans in their respective fields. I hope I can convey to the many people I meet at SOU・SOU that using such items with added value also helps to ensure that traditions and techniques do not disappear. My own feelings aside, I hope that you too can create your own unique item.Please try looking for something.

This has gotten long, but I will end it here for now. The mornings and evenings have become much cooler, but there are still many days with harsh sunlight and temperatures during the day. Be careful of heatstroke and welcome autumn in good health!

See you later, bye~

(Adachi)