#35 A Masterpiece from TUBE, by Hisao Saito
TUBE / 1982

The TUBE chukka boots above are masterpieces with an excellent last and superb comfort. I'm very fond of this style and own several pairs.
I've known Hisao Saito since about a month after Beams opened, when he first visited as a customer. At the time, he was reportedly a consultant for Paul Stuart and frequently traveled to America, sharing valuable information.
Later, he established TUBE and began holding exhibitions, supplying to select shops beyond Tokyo, including International Gallery Beams.

#36 Sadly, I Can No Longer Wear These
HIDETAKA FUKAYA / 2000

These were made by Hidetaka Fukaya, a Japanese shoe designer active in Florence.
Fukaya launched his own brand, il micio, in 1999 and opened a bespoke shoe shop in 2005. He creates shoes highly sought after by buyers for select shops and department stores.
Actually, United Arrows didn't carry them, so I bought these locally. This is the only pair I own.
They are beautiful shoes with a long, elegant toe, but they are made quite small, and sadly, I can no longer wear them.
There are indeed many emerging young Japanese shoe designers and craftsmen. It's truly encouraging.
Perhaps it's because shoes, being analog rather than digital, are something one can easily become attached to. Leather itself possesses such a charm.

#37 United Arrows Millennium Collection
UNITEDARROWS / 2001

For the 2001 anniversary model, we collaborated with Otsuka Pharmaceutical Factory. It was our first collaboration, and they were a manufacturer of fine shoes. It allowed me to appreciate the capabilities of Japanese shoemaking manufacturers. These were released at the time for ¥38,000.