RANDY / 1965-67

photo by Jamandfix

photo by Jamandfix

The heel of the "RANDY" shown above

I wore these when I was 16 to 18 years old, so that's over 40 years ago (laughs). I thought these sneakers from "RANDY" were the most beautiful in terms of shape.
At the time, there were Keds, Converse, Top-Siders, and the Ball Brand, known as "Red Dot," but among American lace-up tennis shoes of the past, those made by "RANDY" were the finest products.

The balance of the lace panel length, the collar length, and the toe length is perfect, creating a beautiful and complete look when worn.

NO BRAND / 1965-67

photo by Jamandfix

These were issued by the U.S. military as deck shoes for cleaning ship decks. Back then, there was a black market shop in Yokosuka called the "Locker Club." The store had rows of lockers where sailors would leave their uniforms and rent clothes to go out. Then they'd change back and return to the ship. Of course, the clothes rented there were for foreigners, so some were diverted from the base commissary. I became friendly with that shop and bought these from them. They have no lining and are very simple, utilitarian shoes.
(1965-67 / 500 yen)

CONVERSE / 1976

photo by Jamandfix

These "Converse" are for baseball. I bought them on my first buying trip to Los Angeles for the opening of Beams in December 1975. There were two pairs in dead stock at a clothing store, like a general store in Japan. I suspect Mr. Iwagaki (current Chairman and CEO of United Arrows) might have the other pair.

These are dead stock from the 60s. I wore them a lot because I liked them. Compared to regular "Chuck Taylors" from Converse, they are slightly thinner, more delicate, slimmer, and have a European feel (laughs). They're similar to the sneakers John Lennon favored.
(1976 / About $10)

photo by Jamandfix

Also, these "Converse" were sold at Beams after I bought them as dead stock. I lent them out somewhere, and the left shoe got lost.

Jack Purcell / 1980

photo by Jamandfix

I bought these "Jack Purcell" by BF Goodrich as vintage items in Los Angeles in the early 80s. There was a vintage shop in LA called "Cowboy & Poodles" that was frequented by maniacal 60s enthusiasts. I was also influenced by John Lennon wearing sneakers with bell-bottom pants in white suits in the 70s, which led me to wear these.

I wore them often at United Arrows too. The color is extremely rare black. After this, the pattern, like the width of the rubber, gradually changed.
(1980 / $20)

CONVERSE ALL STAR / 1980

photo by Jamandfix

I traded for these "Converse" with Mr. Hirokazu Mizunoya (current Executive Vice President of United Arrows), who bought them new in the 70s. They are the same model as the "Chuck Taylors" from their best era. As Americans would say, it's a model that 'hasn't changed at all even now' (laughs).