{"id":1387,"date":"2012-01-01T10:00:28","date_gmt":"2012-01-01T01:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ginzaofficial.sakura.ne.jp\/?p=1387"},"modified":"2015-06-26T18:22:26","modified_gmt":"2015-06-26T09:22:26","slug":"%e5%8e%9f-%e4%bf%a1%e5%8f%b8x%e9%ab%98%e5%b6%8b-%e3%81%a1%e3%81%95%e5%ad%90","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/connective\/1387","title":{"rendered":"Shinji Hara\u00d7Chisako Takashima"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

There was a period when I worked as a salesman for a manufacturer.<\/h4>\n
\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
Could you please tell us the history of Yoitaya?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
It started when my ancestors first came here from Yoitamachi in Nagaoka, Niigata prefecture to open a footwear shop. That was 134 years ago.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Has your shop always been in the current location?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
Yes, it has. Some people say that the area was covered in shepherd\u2019s-purse flowers at the time.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
When did you start this trade?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
I started when I was 29, so it has been ten years now. I am the fifth generation manager.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Did you have any uncertainties about starting this profession?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
Yes, I did have some. In fact, I worked a regular job for a while after graduating from high school. I worked as a salesman for a food product manufacturer.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
No kidding!<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
Yes, and after about seven years I finally realized that I wanted to work in a trade.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
During that period, were you under any pressure from your father?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
He didn\u2019t say anything, but he was worried. And actually it\u2019s a good thing that he didn\u2019t say anything.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
How many other footwear shops are there in Ginza?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
There are about five. There are much fewer specialty shops today than there used to be. Footwear shop culture is said to be from Edo. As the saying goes, Edo was the place for footwear, and Osaka was the place for food.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Has Yoitaya introduced any special products?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
We introduced \u2018jikazuke\u2019 zori (\u2018zori\u2019 are flat, thonged Japanese sandals) that have a very thin enamel layer on the heel. Simply changing the height of the heel can give the zori a very stylish appearance.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n
Ginza Yoitaya\u2019s Jikazuke zori<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

We are very proud to offer immediate service by on-site craftsmen.<\/h4>\n
\n
\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
I heard that you can custom order zori at Yoitaya that are made to fit your feet.<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
Even if we measure the size of feet, size 23 cm feet can be completely different for each customer, for example if they have a higher arch or wider foot. We want to make footwear that is the perfect match. Also, the soles and hanao (thongs) of zori are separate, so you can create a completely original pair with different combinations.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
How many craftsmen are working for Yoitaya at the moment?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
There are three people including myself. At my shop, we are proud that there is always a craftsman on site. This means that you never have to leave your footwear behind \u2014 we will work on your order right away. Shops offering this type of service are rare.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
That is really wonderful. People are very busy and don\u2019t have the time to come back to a shop again later to pick up your order.<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
I think it\u2019s not right to make a person wait days for their order.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
It is actually very surprising that this such a traditional shop would provide such immediate service.<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
I think of this trade as a face-to-face business. We consider it important to have the customer try on the product at our shop so that we can adjust it to match their feet perfectly.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Do you have many long-time customers?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
Yes, we do. Some customers have been visiting our shop since before I was born, and many customers come here together with their parents. We very much appreciate their business.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

\n

It is my job to consider how to express a \u2018style\u2019.<\/h4>\n
\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Do you yourself insert the hanao?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
Yes, I do. I still have a lot to learn, but I\u2019ve been doing it for 10 years now.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Have you always been very skilled with your hands?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
Fortunately, yes. I\u2019ve been especially good at making things and delicate work since I was a child.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
As the fifth generation manager, are you going to try to create something new?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
Although it\u2019s important to make minor changes that suits the current era, I feel much more strongly the need to carry on tradition. \u2018Style\u2019 has been a valued concept at our shop from generation to generation, but the sense of style is different for each individual and each era. I feel that it is my job to consider how to express such style in each pair of zori.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
What are some important points?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
The way you insert hanao is very important. Inserting hanao is like drawing a curve. We make zori that are not painful to wear by twisting the hanao as we insert them to follow the curve of your feet. The way hanao are inserted differs completely for each shop, so the fit is completely different.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
If they don\u2019t fit properly, you can get blisters very quickly. Can you tell which zori are the perfect fit for a customer just by looking at their feet?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
Yes, I can. Surprisingly, many people have misconceptions about their own feet. I think they become convinced when the zori are adjusted in front of their very eyes.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
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\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

I hope Ginza never loses its unique warmth.<\/h4>\n
\n
\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
It must be difficult running a trade in a prestigious location like Ginza.<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
The environment has changed quite a lot. Old shops actually stand out.<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
Yes, I think so too. Luxury brand shops like Jimmy Choo and Toryburch line the streets that look very Western-style now.<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
Sometimes people are surprised when they see an old shop like ours in Ginza, but we were actually here first (laughs).<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
That is funny (laughs). This street in particular is one of the more luxurious in Ginza.<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
Yes, it is. Thinking about it now, opening a shop in this location was quite a foresight.
I left this area for a while when I was working as a salesman, and it made me recognize the wonderfulness of Ginza even more. I felt such relief when I returned. It\u2019s as if the air itself is different. I feel a sense of ease just walking through these streets.<\/dt>\n
<\/dd>\n
Takashima<\/dt>\n
How do you want Ginza to be in the future?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
Looking in at Ginza from the outside, you see that foreign brands and high class nightclubs, and it might give a feeling of being too classy. But if you take one step further you sense a vibrant warmth, and of an area full of human kindness. Renewal is always important, and I welcome new things developing here that have a sense of \u2018Ginza,\u2019 but I hope it never loses its warmth.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

The next guest will be\u2026<\/h4>\n
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Takashima<\/dt>\n
Could you tell us about the next guest?<\/dd>\n
Hara\u3000<\/dt>\n
Your next guest will be Choichiro Motoyama, the Chairman of the Sanmotoyama.<\/dd>\n<\/dl>\n<\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n

Chisako Takashima<\/h4>\n

Violinist. Started playing the violin at age 6. After playing abroad, she moved her home base to Japan, and gives concerts all over the country. Although her current focus is on performing music, she also appears on TV and radio programs. Thanks to her much-loved personality, she is appearing in more and more venues.<\/p>\n

Chisako Takashima\u2019s official website<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

\n

Shinji Hara<\/h4>\n

A true native of Ginza, born and raised in Ginza from 1972.
\nFifth generation president of Ginza Yoitaya, a long-standing Japanese footwear shop that opened in 1877.
\nHe says that the best feeling is putting together zori that customers say they feel great to wear.<\/p>\n

Ginza Yoitaya Website<\/a>\n<\/div>\n

Writer: Mizuho Takahashi\u3000\u3000Location: Ginza Yoitaya<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sorry, this entry is only available in Japanese.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1397,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[14],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1387"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1387"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1387\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1397"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1387"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1387"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ginza.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1387"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}