Hiroaki Kobayashi
(Kobayashi Seika)

Mr. Kobayashi Seika manufactures and sells custom-made shoes in Osaka.
He also works with the Tokyo collection and famous artists, making shoes with unique designs and functionality.

Mr. Kobayashi Seika manufactures and sells custom-made shoes in Osaka.
He also works with the Tokyo collection and famous artists, making shoes with unique designs and functionality.

– First of all, could you tell us how you chose this industry?

I started to be interested in sneakers when I was in junior high school. In high school, my first part-time job was at a shoe store. So I fell in love with sneakers and started collecting dead stock and rare shoes. I was also interested in fashion. I knew clothes were sown with a sewing machine, but I couldn’t picture how shoes were made. So I thought it would be interesting if I could learn. That’s why I started studying shoe making at a fashion school.

– It was because you fell in love with sneakers.

That’s right. I like sneakers more than leather shoes. (laughs)
Sneakers have evolved from leather shoes.
In Japan, there are many places with concrete floors. Since the sole of leather shoes is also leather, it cannot absorb much impact and it is hard for the body. The sole of sneakers is rubber, so it can absorb the impact and it feels like walking on clouds. Sneakers are great, aren’t they?

– Huh? But you sell leather shoes, aren’t you? (laughs)

That’s right. (laughs) Leather shoes can strengthen your feet because they cannot absorb impacts. The feet of modern people who only wear sneakers are soft. Since bones are not supported by muscles, the shape of the bones can change. As a result, it becomes easy to get a hallux valgus or flat feet. Older people who have been wearing leather shoes have strong legs, don’t they? Their legs don’t get tired easily. In that sense, if you have been wearing only sneakers since you were a child, or if you have been wearing the wrong shoes, there is a higher risk of getting weak feet.
It is important to tell customers about such things, listen to the design they are looking for, and make shoes that suit them.

– I’ve been wearing only sneakers these days, but when I put on leather shoes for the first time in a while, my legs hurt. It’s true that wearing leather shoes will strengthen your legs.

I agree. I think walking barefoot or wearing leather shoes is a good thing for a long and healthy life.

– I see. So can you tell us the difference between ready-made shoes and made-to-order shoes?

Each foot shape has its own personality. The shape of the bones, muscles, how fat is attached, and its illness. There are many blood vessels and acupuncture points in the feet, and it is an important part called the “second heart”.
Shoes are made to protect it. Ready-made products are created to suit many people. But of course, it can’t suit everyone. It’s surprisingly difficult to find the perfect pair of shoes for yourself.
Since custom shoes are made by measuring the feet, they are more suitable for the person’s feet than ready-made shoes. Wearing matching shoes will make it easier to walk. The easier it is to walk, the more it will change.
Wearing shoes that don’t fit will result in a strange way of walking. It can also cause your body to become distorted and hurt your lower back and shoulders. When you’re young, it’s okay because your muscles are strong, but as you get older, it can make you feel uncomfortable and hard to walk, but if you can choose the shoes that suit you, you can change your age. You will be able to build a body that can walk even if you stack it.

– When I bought an off-the-shelf product, I thought I chose the right shoes at the store, but if I wear them for a long time after buying them, my feet may hurt. It’s certainly difficult to choose the right shoes.

After all, it’s not something you can tell immediately after wearing it at a store. I think that there may be a few shop assistants who will help you choose the right shoes.

– Definitely. Was you originally making ready-made products, Mr. Kobayashi?

That’s right. Originally I worked for a company that makes ready-made shoes, but after becoming independent from that company, I started making custom-made shoes.

– I see. What kind of talk do you have when you have a meeting with a customer when making custom-made shoes?

Of course, we make shoes that fit your feet, but I also value the design aspect. People who buy ordinary leather shoes like those sold in department stores don’t come to my store very often. There are relatively many people who are self-employed or can work roughly, and there are many customers who want to make leather shoes with a slightly different color and design. Responding to such requests is very important.
Where do you want to wear, such an unusual colors and materials? Sometimes we are asked about the full look including clothes, so we may give advice such as “Make shoes this color and dress to match it.”
Customers went to various stores, but they didn’t have a favorite color, or they liked the design, but it didn’t fit their feet. I often make suggestions while listening to such things.

– Hearing is important, isn’t it?

After all it is. Hearing is of the most important thing because we conduct hearings to find out what our customers really want and make suggestions here.

– Do you have orders from abroad as well?

There was a time when I was in the business about 10 years ago. I packed a lot of sample shoes in the trunk and went to New York and Milan. Europe is truly a country of shoes, and orthodox leather shoes were preferred, but in New York, even unique designs were sometimes bought by prompt decision.

– It’s not shoes, but I heard that you’ve made a guitar case for Jeff Beck. How did you come to make it?

Actually, I’m not particularly familiar with him. However, I was asked to make a case for him to use when traveling on his Japanese tour, so I decided to make a guitar case that suits him.

– That’s wonderful. Is there anything else that left an impression on you?

There was a guy who had congenitally deformed legs and was wearing sneakers and other simple shoes. That person made custom shoes at a high price at another store, but it still hurt his legs, so he came to our store. Our price was cheaper than that shop, so he said, “I would like to try custom shoes again at that price.” It seems that he didn’t really trust the custom shoes because he failed at the previous shop. Therefore, I suggested, “Let’s make a prototype before making custom shoes, and if that’s okay, let’s make custom shoes.” And since I was able to actually make shoes that are easy to walk in, he ordered them. I was happy as a craftsman.

– Finally, what kind of activities do you want to do from now on?

As a shoemaker, I want to be a shoemaker who can work for people who have trouble choosing shoes in the world. I would like to expand my activities, and I would like various people to wear the shoes I made, not only in Japan.

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