Company Overview
Founded in 1937 (Showa 12), this is a geta manufacturer in Shizuoka City.
Geta are also a local industry in Shizuoka.
When the company was first founded, it produced wooden bases for geta sandals, but as times changed, the mainstream footwear shifted from geta to sandals and shoes.
From there we started making sandal tops and shoe insoles, a business that continues to this day.
Around 1989, we returned to our roots and began producing geta wood.
Then, utilizing the technology we had developed to make sandals and shoe insoles, we began manufacturing and selling "Geta Monogatari," shoes that fit the soles of the feet.
Currently, the product lineup has diversified beyond just geta to include indoor slippers made from Shizuoka cypress.
We are also working on projects that go beyond footwear, such as collaborating with designers, creating products in collaboration with local industries and artists, conducting joint experiments with universities, engaging in industry-academia collaborative projects, and working with facilities that support people with disabilities.
We continue to take on new challenges with new ideas that are not bound by tradition or old customs, and aim to be a 100-year-old company.
What is important
Since our founding in 1937, we have been involved in footwear manufacturing, a local industry in Shizuoka City.
We would be delighted if by making comfortable sandals we can play a part in helping you live a healthy and enjoyable life every day.
What we aim to achieve
From a small factory in Aoi Ward, Shizuoka City
Greeting
"Enjoying and continuing to take on challenges in any situation."
As times change, so do lifestyles and values.
Our company enjoys these changes and flexibly takes on new challenges.
We want to focus on what people universally cherish and connect that to our work.
More than 80 years have passed since our founding, and from my grandfather's and father's generations, we have continued to move forward without fear of change, ultimately arriving at our current comfortable geta production. I believe that we have been able to continue to this day precisely because we have viewed all difficulties as opportunities and turned them into turning points.
I also hope that each employee will be a self-reliant individual who enjoys challenges. I feel that my role, having inherited this company, is to create an environment where this is possible and to pass on the baton to the future.
Moving forward, with the philosophy of "Get a chance!" in our hearts, we will strive daily to propose comfortable ways of living to everyone.
Representative Director and President Yukiko Mizutori
Masashi Mizutori's "Geta Story"
"I want more people around the world to know about geta."
Masashi Mizutori, the previous generation, thought.
Traditional Japanese geta have no left or right, are flat, and the thongs take time to become comfortable.
If they were fitted to the left and right foot shapes like shoes, and the thongs were inserted to cradle the instep, they would be gentle on the feet and comfortable to wear all day long.
Geta are footwear that evolve in peaceful times.
And they are a beautiful culture suited to Japan's climate.
"If I make geta that go well with jeans, I'm sure everyone will wear them again."
~Episode 0~
During the Hamamatsu Festival in May, women serving new tea always suffered from painful toes due to thongs digging in and not having geta that fit their size. A designer acquaintance living in Hamamatsu approached us with this problem.
After making 10 pairs of geta with thongs matching the kimono pattern, we were greatly thanked after the festival with the words, "The tea girls didn't take off their geta once this year, thank you."
Company Information
| Company Name |
Mizutori Industrial Co., Ltd. |
|
MIZUTORI INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. |
|
| Address |
1-18-22 Heiwa, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi 420-0876 |
| TEL 054-271-6787 | |
|
FAX 054-272-1302 |
|
| Email info@mizutori.co.jp | |
|
HP https://www.geta.co.jp |
|
| Representative | Representative Director Yukiko Mizutori |
| Founded | 1937 (Showa 12) |
| Company Established | April 1, 1975 |
| Capital | 10 million yen |
| Number of Employees | 15 |
| Business Activities | Geta manufacturing and sales / Sandal and shoe material parts manufacturing and processing sales |
| Banks | Shizuoka Yaizu Shinkin Bank Kagonoue Branch / Shizuoka Bank Shizuhata Branch / Seishin Shinkin Bank Kataha Branch |
| Sales | Mizutori Web Shop https://www.geta.co.jp |
| Email geta-shop@mizutori.co.jp | |
| TEL 054-260-6699 (9:00-17:00, excluding weekends and holidays) |
History
| Showa 12 | (1937) | Taichi Mizutori, the first generation, began manufacturing geta blanks at 118 Heiwa-cho, Shizuoka City. |
| Showa 38 | (1963) | Began processing sandal materials. |
| Showa 50 | (1975) | Incorporated as Mizutori Industrial Co., Ltd. |
| Showa 55 | (1980) | Began manufacturing shoe insoles. |
| Showa 60 | (1985) | Masashi Mizutori assumed the position of Representative Director. |
| Heisei 1 | (1989) | Began manufacturing geta. |
| Heisei 5 | (1993) | Began developing and manufacturing the original product "Geta Monogatari". |
| Heisei 15 | (2003) | "Are geta really good for your health?" Joint experiment with Shizuoka University. |
| Heisei 16 | (2004) |
Announced "Hinoki no Hakimono," created with costume artist Kozue Hibino, for the Shizuoka Rendezvous Project.
Exhibited at the "Maison & Objet" interior design trade fair in Paris. |
| Heisei 20 | (2008) | Released the men's geta series "Sajin" and "BLADE". |
| Heisei 21 | (2009) | Released "SHIKIBU," a modern arrangement of traditional Japanese geta designs. |
| Heisei 22 | (2010) | Collaborated with DRILL DESIGN to release "two piece". |
| Heisei 23 | (2011) |
The m2 (emuni) project began, utilizing the characteristics and materials of artists and creators active in various fields. Hand-painted fabrics by local Shizuoka textile artist "Yuri Inagaki" were used for the thongs. ※m2 (emuni) = a coined word combining mizutori & material.
First exhibition at the Interior Lifestyle trade fair. (Organized by Messe Frankfurt Japan) |
| Heisei 24 | (2012) |
Collaborated with 3 teams for m2 (emuni). ・Kyoto textile designer "koha*" fabric used for thongs. ・Local Shizuoka fashion designer "Keiichi Muramatsu" fabric used for thongs. ・Kokura-ori "Shima-shima" fabric used for thongs. |
| Heisei 25 | (2013) | For m2 (emuni), tatami-edge fabric from the tatami-edge bag maker "Kaguraya" was used for the thongs. |
| Heisei 26 | (2014) |
Yukiko Mizutori appointed Senior Managing Director. For m2 (emuni), lacquerware and maki-e from Sakamoto Otsuzo Shoten, a long-established lacquerware maker in Aizu-Wakamatsu, were applied to the wood and thongs. |
| Heisei 27 | (2015) |
Opened "mizutori Nanagencho Showroom," the first directly managed gallery, in Nanagencho, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City in August. |
| Heisei 28 | (2016) |
For m2 (emuni), indigo-dyed tenugui fabric from "La Mano," a workshop for people with disabilities in Machida, Tokyo, was used for the thongs.
Participated in the Rin crossing project by the SME Agency and the creative company "SELF"'s new product development support project L/RIN, and announced "COLOR GETA." |
| Heisei 29 |
(2017) |
Produced and announced a character and manga for PR with Takarazuka University, Faculty of Media Arts, Tokyo.
For m2 (emuni), furoshiki fabric from "Musubi," a furoshiki manufacturer in Kyoto, was used for the thongs. |
| Heisei 30 |
(2018) |
October: Opened "mizutori + Labo" in Tokiwa-cho, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka City (Aoba Symbol Road). |
| Reiwa 1 |
(2019) |
Masashi Mizutori assumed the position of Representative Director and Chairman. Yukiko Mizutori assumed the position of Representative Director and President. |
| Reiwa 2 |
(2020) |
August: Masashi Mizutori retired from the position of Director. |
Achievements and Awards
| Heisei 16 | (2004) |
・Selected for JETRO "Universal Craft Japan" ・Good Design Shizuoka Governor's Award for "Lima Ben-Hur" and "Lima Cross" (Organizer: Shizuoka Prefecture) |
| Heisei 18 | (2006) | ・5th Sarai Grand Prize for "Hinoki no Hakimono" (Organizer: Shogakukan) |
| Heisei 19 | (2007) |
・63rd Tokyo International Gift Show Spring 2007 "Hinoki no Hakimono" Active Design & Craft Award Contest - Semi-Grand Prize (Organizer: Business Guide-sha) ・New Japan Style 100 Selections - Shizuoka Rendezvous Project - Selected "Hinoki no Hakimono" |
| Heisei 21 | (2009) |
・67th Tokyo International Gift Show Spring 2009 ・Good Design Shizuoka Incentive Award for "Sajin" (Organizer: Shizuoka Prefecture) |
| Heisei 22 | (2010) |
・Shizuoka Aoi Premium Certification for "Sajin" (Organizer: Shizuoka City) ・70th Tokyo International Gift Show Autumn 2010 "SHIKIBU" New Product Contest Grand Prize (Organizer: Business Guide-sha) |
| Heisei 23 | (2011) |
・Shizuoka Aoi Premium Certification for "SHIKIBU" (Organizer: Shizuoka City) |
| Heisei 24 |
(2012) |
・Shizuoka Aoi Premium Certification for "two piece" (Organizer: Shizuoka City) ・Participated in "Stylish Wood in Daily Life - Wonderful Ways to Use the Forest -" Forestry Forum (Organizer: Ladies' Network 21 for Rich Forest Creation) |
| Heisei 25 | (2013) |
・Shizuoka Aoi Premium Certification for "m2 SENSE Humming Yutori KC-16,17" (Organizer: Shizuoka City) ・Exhibited at Eco-Products 2013 Shizuoka Prefecture booth (Organizer: Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry, Nikkei Inc.) |
| Heisei 26 | (2014) |
・Shizuoka Aoi Premium Certification for "Hinoki no Hakimono" (Organizer: Shizuoka City) ・26th Japan Web Awards! Association Special Award (Organizer: Japan Web Users Association) |
| Heisei 27 | (2015) |
・Certified by The Wonder 500™ (Subsidy Project of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) |
| Heisei 29 | (2017) |
・Participated in Cannes City Summer Festival 2017 (Organizer: Association France-Japon Cannes) ・Participated in Mt. Fuji Cosplay World Convention 2017 in Shimizu Ekimae Ginza Shopping Street (Organizer: FugiCos) |
| Heisei 30 | (2018) |
・Shizuoka Aoi Premium Award 2017 Jury Special Award for "SENSE Humming Series" (Organizer: Shizuoka City) |
