With so much stuff now mass produced and made elsewhere, the sight of someone actually making leather shoes by hand is really quite striking. Entering the tiny workshop also felt like stepping back in time, and in some ways it was, as the shoemaker’s grandfather started the business way back in the mid-1930s. But, like so many other old school setups, when the current owner finally decides to call it a day, the decision will also put an end to all that history.
LAObserver says
I understand the government of Nippon had funded some limited knowledge management in the traditional arts to ensure information was captured and maintained and passed down to future generations. The hand production of Damascus steel, such as for sword blades, was one such knowledge base. Perhaps this shop will participate and equally pass down their own resident knowledge.
Lee says
I think it’s great that such traditions and skills are preserved. Even better if they kept truly alive and functioning rather than acted out museum pieces of sorts.
It would be lovely if the likes of the fella above could pass on his skills, and ideally also his place of work. That way the community and way of life would be maintained too. But with expensive land prices, a city hell-bent on modernisation and a presumably tough way to make a living, it’s sadly very unlikely…
Al says
For someone like me whose a bit ocd about cleaning, even looking at this makes me kinda anxious! 😮
I’m guessing he hasn’t cleaned in 80 years! 🙂
Lee says
Haha, yes, a good clean is definitely in order. But I dare say if he did tidy up, he wouldn’t have a clue where anything was!
Hans ter Horst says
Amazing! You would really like to see an apprentice here or soon the skills will be lost forever. I love the mess, sometime in the late 90s he must have given up cleaning. 🙂
Lee says
I know. It’s a wonderful old building as well. I suspect he may live in the back too, but can’t say for certain. But sadly both the building and his skill will be lost I fear…
I reckon you are right. I guess once it gets past a certain point you simply stop caring!
john says
I think if anyone, he has some justification for leaving shoes lying about. Nonetheless, it certainly makes me feel a bit better :O)
The idea that shoes might fit well and last more than twelve months might just catch on!
Lee says
Haha, he makes me feel better about my desk at work too!
Yeah, exactly. Made to order, and to last. A far cry from most stuff on the high street. The ones outside on display weren’t that expensive either. Prticularly so when you consider the time, effort and skill that has gone into making them.
cdilla says
I see many programs about old skills being held onto by masters taking on new apprentices, but as everywhere, and possibly in Japan especially, both the Master and the Apprentice have to have attitudes and mindsets that are not all that common these days. It is a shame to see traditional craftsmanship ending, but at the same time it looks awful hard work for not a lot of (monetary) reward.
I find myself comparing his workspace to mine and whilst mine might be cleaner (courtesy of Mrs cdilla) it certainly is no tidier, and I reckon I have many many more individualy visible items in a slightly smaller room/mancave/office.
I imagine he spends longer hours working than I do though. And he has a physical product to show for it too. My “product” is just software, though to show everything is interconnected, it does enable people to buy things like this gentleman’s shoes.
Lee says
That’s a very interesting point. Times may well be changing, but changes like the internet and the software you produce can also be the saviour of such traditions. I guess the difficult part is setting people up with such possibilities, and then how to deal with the necessary updates, interaction etc.
But that aside, like you say, it looks like a difficult way to make a living. Not necessarily the work itself which could well be very rewarding, but the hours, and financial rewards that may not come anywhere near the effort put in. A real shame if that is the case. And a factor that pretty much means the business/trade won’t continue…
David Lowe says
How you manage to unearth these places Lee is remarkable. My image of a shop like this is one with an opaque glass door and apart from some Showa era signage one you’d be none the wiser to its existence.
Lee says
Lots and lots of walking!
It does have the glass doors, but sadly no sign at all. A few shoes for sale outside were what caught my eye. But even then I wasn’t expecting the inside to be quite so interesting. A genuinely nice surprise.