Japanese Shoes: Bespoke & RTW Super Thread

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

Hello everyone,

I came across a new {to me} Japanese bespoke maker. HIs name is Kota Kobayashi. Information on him is sparse, but here is his homepage: Shoedesign&Shoemaking When | Bespokeshoes | Tokyo (s-when.com)

The page indicates that full bespoke is Y250,000 and that pattern order is Y130,000.

Here is a 40 minute video, with him on the left: [靴職人] 小林 晃太 1足●●万円 フルオーダーを作る裏側　インタビュー編 - YouTube


Bic

I had only heard the name and knew he was trained in Japan. Would definitely be interested in hearing more about his shoes, especially considering the attractive prices.

Considering I would probably not have access to him, @j ingevaldsson has my full support to talk about him on his blog. Although, I may have to rethink that. There's a higher percentage of me getting struck my lightning than me commissioning a pair of Murata's shoes (no thanks to Jesper).

@Bic Pentameter you should work your way over and take a few non-studio shots.

 

[j ingevaldsson]

His workshop is about 10 minutes away from my apartment. I will be interested to see if he gets any notoriety in the neighborhood. He is on the 4th floor, so he probably won't get much walk in traffic.

Bic

You should definitely pay him a visit then, even if you don't place an order.

Yeah many bespoke makers in Japan have that type of locations, I've been standing outside correct street entrances without knowing if I'm right or not, the stupid Japanese address system doesn't help either to gain confidence.. ?

I had only heard the name and knew he was trained in Japan. Would definitely be interested in hearing more about his shoes, especially considering the attractive prices.

Considering I would probably not have access to him, @j ingevaldsson has my full support to talk about him on his blog. Although, I may have to rethink that. There's a higher percentage of me getting struck my lightning than me commissioning a pair of Murata's shoes (no thanks to Jesper).

@Bic Pentameter you should work your way over and take a few non-studio shots.

You have to get yourself a pair from Murata soon, you clearly won't sleep wel until you do ?

 

[chifromdachi]

Gentlemen,

Received my parcel from Koji-San to day. Happy days.

 

[clee1982]

image not showing up?

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

That's a lot of attachments ?.

 

[boot_owl]

Gentlemen, View attachment 1541239 View attachment 1541240 View attachment 1541241 View attachment 1541242 View attachment 1541243 View attachment 1541244 View attachment 1541245 View attachment 1541246 View attachment 1541247 View attachment 1541248 View attachment 1541249 View attachment 1541250 View attachment 1541251 View attachment 1541252 View attachment 1541253 View attachment 1541254

Received my parcel from Koji-San to day. Happy days.

bit early for Christmas... you must have been REALLY good

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

bit early for Christmas... you must have been REALLY good

Are you referring to the shoes or the medicine behind the shoes? Both look like gifts to me.

 

[boot_owl]

Are you referring to the shoes or the medicine behind the shoes? Both look like gifts to me.

I assumed they came as a matched pair

 

[chifromdachi]

bit early for Christmas... you must have been REALLY good

Indeed, I was.

 

[chifromdachi]

I assumed they came as a matched pair

Strictly for medicinal purposes.

 

[chifromdachi]

Are you referring to the shoes or the medicine behind the shoes? Both look like gifts to me.

God bless good ol' Santy Claus.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

Strictly for medicinal purposes.

That's what I tell my boys. I'm sure they believe I'm a very sickly person.

 

[chifromdachi]

That's what I tell my boys. I'm sure they believe I'm a very sickly person.

 

[chifromdachi]

Thanks. Ideally it’s a summer shoe, with a Panama, but as Tokyo has bright but cold winters where the sun is quite intense (brightness wise), how about this... View attachment 1501359

That pair is freakin' amazing. Want.

 

[BColl_Has_Too_Many_Shoes]

Here is my most recent make-up with Santari and Skomaker Dagestad.

Since Atsushi's studio pictures look infinitely better than mines, I took the liberty of using his. Soles are a phone pic.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with how these came out. The pattern, the subtle gimping, and medallion were perfectly executed as I requested. The fit, after adjustments were made to the instep, width, and there was something else which I can't recall, is spot on. I would say the fit is amongst the best MTM I have used.

Due to my very successful results, I would definitely recommend you give Santari a try. Stefan from Shoes of Stefan (formerly of Skomaker Dagestad) was a pleasure to work with and was integral to having these come out as beautifully.