mizutori creates modern Japanese wooden sandals (geta) designed for comfort and everyday wear.
Episode 39
To Your 100-Year-Old Self
At our store,
there are times when someone picks up a pair of geta,
only to return them to the shelf
without even trying them on.
“They feel a little heavy.”
With that single impression,
the pair is set aside
before being given a chance.
Of course,
each person’s perception is different.
Perhaps it cannot be helped.
And yet,
as makers,
it is always a little disheartening.
mizutori’s geta
cannot be fully appreciated
by appearance
or by how they feel in your hands alone.
It is only when you slip them on
and begin to walk
that their true character reveals itself.
The footbed
is gently carved
to follow the natural curve of the sole.
In addition,
the slightly wider hanao straps
softly embrace the foot
and provide steady support as you walk.
This form,
which mizutori has continued to refine,
creates comfort
unlike any other.
The moment you slip your foot into them,
it settles into place —
as though the small space
between your foot and the wooden base
quietly disappears.
When walking,
try directing your awareness
to lightly gripping the hanao with your toes,
as if lifting the wooden base with each step.
Gradually,
the geta begin to feel
as though they are gently clinging to the sole,
becoming one with your feet.
There is no need to apply force.
Simply shifting your awareness
allows your toes to move naturally,
and you begin to feel
that you are walking with your entire foot.
Some may feel uncertain about footwear with hanao straps,
wondering,
“Won’t they hurt?”
mizutori’s geta were born
from such voices.
They were created not only for comfort,
but also as footwear
that allows you to enjoy style in everyday life
with ease.
Valuing both comfort and design —
this is the origin of mizutori’s craftsmanship,
and a stance we continue to hold dear.
Interestingly,
many who try them on say,
“They feel lighter than I expected.”
The weight itself has not changed.
Rather,
because the geta fit the foot properly,
you are able to walk
using your foot’s natural movement,
without strain.
Footwear with hanao straps
is often said by movement specialists
to encourage the natural use of the toes.
Engaging the toes,
activating the muscles of the entire foot as you walk —
geta gently remind us
of this way of moving.
To realize this comfort,
there is one more important element.
Choosing the right size.
Footwear such as sneakers,
which fully cover the foot,
can be worn slightly larger than your actual foot length,
secured by laces.
But mizutori’s geta
are footwear that stay close
to the foot itself.
Neither too large nor too small —
by choosing a size
closest to the true length of your foot,
the intended comfort
can be fully experienced.
In an age when we speak of living to one hundred,
to continue walking
on your own two feet
is surely one of the most precious things
to protect.
Rather than adding special functions,
we hope to support a lifetime of walking
by gently drawing out
the strength your feet already possess
within everyday life.
Geta that,
each time you wear them,
quietly remind you
that you are walking on your own feet.
If mizutori may accompany
your steps into the future,
there could be no greater joy.
We sincerely hope
that more and more people
will come to experience
the comfort of mizutori for themselves.
