Dear Shaded Viewers,
I am sure you are aware of the traditional Japanese sandal known as Zori and worn with the Kimono, well, now with JOJO that traditional sandal has been converted into something that is meant to be worn with casual wear and not just in Japan. The construction of the sandal has been passed down over generations, Kyoto Naito has been a well established footwear artisan for 142 years, established in 1875.
Although we might believe that Japanese sandals originated with the kimono, that is not the case. They were born as a living tool generated from Japanese style and living in a Japanese environment. The sandals Gion Naito makers carry on that tradition. While watching the Issey Miyake collection, where several pairs of the JOJO were featured, I met Gion Naito who of course was wearing the sandals and he told me that the sandals, which were now green, had taken 7 years to turn that color. What stands out from that is that these sandals are crafted to last. The sandals have two parts, the dai (sole) and hanao (strap) and each is made from carefully chosen materials. There are 3000 variations of hanao and over 5000 variations of dai. The combinations are endless. These sandals cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Each sandal is made by hand and based on how each customer walks and the shape of his/her feet.
The moment you put the sandals on you feel a comfort based on the construction of the soles, because of that comfort you want to wear the sandals for a long period of time. They are tailored with focus on easy repair. Among the customers are those that constantly repair and wear the same sandals over a period of 30 or 50 years.
JOJO is in Paris contact: akikohamaoka@gion-naitou.com.
They are at the Marziano Bello Showroom 36, rue de Vivienne until Tuesday June 27th.
