mizutori creates modern Japanese wooden sandals (geta) designed for comfort and everyday wear.
Episode 18
The Birth of Lacquered Geta
Did you know that among mizutori’s creations, there is a pair of lacquered geta that shine with the elegance of fine jewelry?
This special design was born through a collaboration with Sakamoto Otozo Shoten, a long-established lacquer company in Aizu.
Today, we would like to share the story behind their creation.
An Encounter
Founded in 1900, Sakamoto Otozo Shoten is a lacquer manufacturer with a long and respected history. From refining raw lacquer to producing craftworks and fashion accessories, they continue to bring traditional techniques into contemporary life.
We first met the Sakamoto team at a trade exhibition in Tokyo. Our booths happened to be close year after year, and through repeated greetings and conversations, a natural connection grew.
At the exhibition, we were captivated by accessories from their in-house brand, “Sakamoto Collection.”
Lightweight pieces crafted on wooden bases, glowing with the deep, lustrous tones unique to lacquer.
Each design was refined and quietly striking — impossible not to pause and admire.
Before long, we found ourselves becoming devoted admirers of Sakamoto Collection and their remarkable craftsmanship.
From Admiration to Collaboration
As our respect deepened, a wish began to form within us:
“What if this beautiful lacquer could be applied to mizutori’s geta?”
Yet we hesitated to voice the idea.
Would it seem presumptuous?
What if they declined?
Time passed as we wrestled with these uncertainties.
Still, the desire only grew stronger. Eventually, we gathered our courage and traveled to Aizu to speak openly about our hopes.
After listening carefully, President Sakamoto quietly asked,
“Do you have a vision for where this product would be sold?”
It was, of course, a natural question for a business leader to ask.
But at that time, we had no concrete marketing plan. We only had one sincere wish: to create something together.
Feeling both humbled and determined, we said:
“We simply want to surprise people. We want to create geta like no one has ever seen before — something that shines like jewelry — together with you.”
Understanding both our inexperience and our earnestness, President Sakamoto responded gently:
“I understand. Let’s create something worthy of becoming mizutori’s flagship. Leave it to us.”
Even now, we remain deeply grateful that he embraced what might have seemed like an audacious request.
Geta Like Jewels
We sent the wooden bases of our geta to Aizu and waited eagerly for the samples to arrive.
The day finally came.
When we opened the box, what emerged exceeded every expectation.
The colors shifted subtly depending on the light. Even resting quietly, the pair seemed to radiate presence.
The hanao straps were adorned with maki-e lacquer decoration, concentrating the depth of lacquer’s beauty and the mastery of Aizu craftsmanship.
They were so striking that one almost hesitated to wear them.
A pair of geta, shining like jewels, had been born.
As President Sakamoto confidently stated, this level of technique could only be achieved in their workshop. There would be no imitation — only originality.
A Truly Special Pair
The lacquered geta that emerged from this collaboration became more than footwear.
For some, they accompany performances on stage, catching the light as part of a costume.
In certain hospitality spaces, they elevate the atmosphere simply by being placed in a room.
For others, they become once-in-a-lifetime gifts for someone cherished.
And for some, they are a personal reward — a reminder of one’s own strength and milestones.
Their roles differ from person to person, yet for each owner, they hold special meaning.
We look forward to continuing to share that feeling — the quiet thrill of opening a treasure box — with many more people in the years to come.
