This is a story about what I experienced firsthand when I visited a leather shoe factory in Sumida Ward in Tokyo.

 From the leather storage to the packing of finished products, I was allowed to see every step of the leather-shoe making process. The factory even welcome visitors from other companies in the same industry. The person who guided me frankly answered any questions I asked, including what might be considered trade secrets such as shoe lasts and negotiation processes with leather suppliers at home and abroad. They also unveiled the ideas for shoe products gained from their long-term observation of human feet. Why do they go to such lengths? That’s because they are eager to revitalize the Japanese shoe industry, which has been under pressure from cheap shoemakers, and convey the appeal of leather shoes to young people.

 At the core of this proactiveness, I believe, is their unwavering confidence in craftsmanship. No matter how advanced the machinery they use, or no matter how skillfully they mimic the process and movements of skilled craftworkers, they dedicate themselves to self-improvement day after day while breathing the invisible air that fills the factory. It has been fostered over a long time in the form of workplace knowledge based on confidence and cooperation. By doing so, they have passed down their confidence and pride in manufacturing, successfully launching the products with responsibility. As a result, young craftworkers knock on the door of the factory to breathe this alluring air, which also paves the way for revitalizing the region.

 This was the experience beyond my imagination. The “air of manufacturing” gave me many insights and made me realize how widespread its influence can be.

Context Design Dept.
Design Director
Tadashi Inose