mizutori creates modern Japanese wooden sandals (geta) designed for comfort and everyday wear.
What Is mizutori?
Episode 72
She Said She Wasn't Good at Drawing...
“I’m not very good at drawing.”
That’s what my older sister said.
And yet,
before I knew it,
she was completely absorbed
in what she was doing.
What was she drawing on?
The hanao straps
of a pair of geta.
Right now at Mizutori Industrial,
we’re exploring ideas
for workshops
where people can enjoy
making something
with their own hands.
One idea is to invite people
to paint their own designs
on plain hanao straps,
creating a pair of geta
that is truly
one of a kind.
Actually,
we held a similar workshop
once before.
At that time,
participants painted
their designs
onto flat pieces of fabric
before they were made
into hanao.
We then turned
those fabrics into straps
and completed the geta
at a later date.
Everyone created
something wonderful,
each design
reflecting their own
ideas and personality.
But there was
one drawback.
With that method,
people couldn't take
their finished geta home
on the same day.
So this time,
we thought,
why not let people
paint directly
onto the hanao
already attached
to the geta?
It would be
a little trickier
to paint that way,
but it would mean
everyone could take home
their very own pair
that same day.
It might also be
a lovely experience
for visitors from overseas
who have only
a limited amount of time
in Japan.
Of course,
not everyone
feels confident
about drawing.
So we prepared
a variety of tools—
stencils with
different patterns,
stickers made for fabric,
and stamps.
Those who love drawing
can create freely.
Those who feel
a little less confident
can use the tools
to help them along.
We wanted it
to be something
anyone could enjoy.
And the first person
we asked to try it
was my sister.
At first,
she used
a floral stencil
and carefully traced
its outline.
But as she continued,
more and more ideas
seemed to come to her.
Instead of simply
following the stencil,
she began adding
her own little touches.
And before we knew it,
she had created
a pair of geta
unlike anything
you could find
in a shop.
A pair
that was hers alone.
It took about an hour.
I tried it myself, too.
And once I started painting,
I discovered
just how much fun
it could be!
Maybe I'll try this.
What if I do that?
One idea led to another,
and before I knew it,
the time had
flown by.
There's another workshop
we're thinking about, too.
Imagine choosing
from the many fabrics
we have at mizutori—
the outer fabric
of the hanao,
the lining,
and the small fabric piece
that sits between the toes,
known as the maetsubo.
Then choosing
the wooden sole
to go with them.
A pair of geta
with every detail
chosen by you.
For this experience,
the finished geta
would be delivered
at a later date.
But I think
there could be
something wonderful
about both
the pleasure of choosing
and the anticipation
of waiting
for your own pair
to be finished.
Geta are often associated
with warm weather.
And as the days
grow colder,
they tend to slip
from people's minds.
Things at our factory
also begin to quiet down
compared with
the busy spring
and summer months.
But perhaps
that's exactly
what gives us
the chance
to do something
a little different.
To invite people
into a place
where things
are usually made
behind the scenes.
To let them
try making something
themselves.
There are joys
and challenges
in making things by hand
that you might
never discover
simply by looking
at a finished product.
Perhaps by experiencing
a little of that
for themselves,
people might begin
to feel
just how much
goes into
something handmade.
At a time
when the number
of skilled craftspeople
continues to decline,
I would be happy
if even
a small experience
like this
could become
someone's first step
toward taking an interest
in the world
of craftsmanship.
We're still
in the middle
of preparing everything.
But already,
I can't wait to see
what kinds of geta
will come out of it.
There's something
about making things
with your own hands.
A little of who you are
always finds its way
into what you create.
Pairs of geta
that we ourselves
could never have made.
One-of-a-kind pairs
born from
your own hands.
I'm looking forward
to the day
when we get
to see them.
