FASHION /
FEATURES
October 4, 2019
World Champion Shoe Polisher Decided at "ISETAN Kutsuhaku 2019" | ISETAN MEN'S
ISETAN MEN'S
Who Will Be Crowned the World Champion Shoeshiner?
From Wednesday, September 11th to Monday, September 16th, Isetan Shinjuku Store's Main Building 6th floor hosted "ISETAN Kutsuhaku 2019," a shoe exhibition that transformed the venue into a "theme park." Featuring a lineup of approximately 1,000 pairs from 70 brands, it was a special festival where shoe enthusiasts and families alike could enjoy the allure of footwear. Among the many attractions, including workshops and events, the most exciting was "Shoeshining Champion of Champions 2019," which brought together past titleholders of shoe shining competitions to determine the ultimate shoeshiner.
Text by Sara Ando
Yuya Hasegawa Named World's Best Shoeshiner!
Shoe shining has been gaining global momentum in recent years. Following the first world championship held in London in 2017, Japan has hosted its own national championship for two consecutive years, underscoring the growing popularity and attention surrounding the craft.
As a highlight event of "ISETAN Kutsuhaku 2019," the "Shoeshining Champion of Champions" competition was held on Saturday, September 14th. This event pitted six past world and Japanese champions against each other to crown the champion of champions.
The contestants included three acclaimed international shoeshiners who flew in from Russia, Sweden, and Singapore, alongside Japan's own Yuya Hasegawa of "Brift H," Go Ishimi of "The Way Things Go," and Yuta Sugimura of "Y’s Shoeshine." Each vied for the top honor in the world of shoe shining.
As a highlight event of "ISETAN Kutsuhaku 2019," the "Shoeshining Champion of Champions" competition was held on Saturday, September 14th. This event pitted six past world and Japanese champions against each other to crown the champion of champions.
The contestants included three acclaimed international shoeshiners who flew in from Russia, Sweden, and Singapore, alongside Japan's own Yuya Hasegawa of "Brift H," Go Ishimi of "The Way Things Go," and Yuta Sugimura of "Y’s Shoeshine." Each vied for the top honor in the world of shoe shining.
A panel of eight judges, comprising representatives from sponsoring companies and industry experts, evaluated each contestant on criteria such as the beauty and balance of the polished shoes, and the grace of their technique. Each judge awarded up to 10 points per category, for a total of 80 points. An audience vote was also incorporated, with the top Instagram "like" count receiving 80 points, second place 75, and subsequent ranks receiving points in increments of five.
The shoes to be shined by all participants were a straight tip from "ISETAN MEN'S," a plain-toe derby from "Carmina," and a grain leather wingtip from "Scotch Grain." The competition was fierce, with each shoeshiner tasked with perfecting one pair within a strict 15-minute time limit.
Following his victory, Yuya Hasegawa, the newly crowned world champion, sat down for an interview with Tomoki Yuma!
The shoes to be shined by all participants were a straight tip from "ISETAN MEN'S," a plain-toe derby from "Carmina," and a grain leather wingtip from "Scotch Grain." The competition was fierce, with each shoeshiner tasked with perfecting one pair within a strict 15-minute time limit.
Following his victory, Yuya Hasegawa, the newly crowned world champion, sat down for an interview with Tomoki Yuma!
"Shoeshining Champion of Champions 2019" Contestants
Yuya HASEGAWA
Representative of "Brift H," a shoe shining salon in Aoyama, Tokyo. He was the first champion at the World Championship in Shoe Shining held in London in 2017. He subsequently initiated the "Japan Shoe Shining Championship" held at Ginza Mitsukoshi.
Go ISHIMI
Representative of "The Way Things Go (TWTG)," a shoe shining salon with locations in Osaka and Tokyo. He won first place at the inaugural Japan Shoe Shining Championship in 2018. The following year, Naoki Terashima from the same salon secured first place, making TWTG the producer of Japan's top shoeshiner for two consecutive years.
Yuta SUGIMURA
Representative of "Y’s Shoeshine," a shoe shining salon in Shizuoka. He placed third at the first Japan Shoe Shining Championship in 2018. In 2019, he was crowned champion at the World Championship in Shoe Shining held in London. He operates primarily from Shizuoka but also works in Tokyo and other regions.
Anton TSYPIN
Representative of "Para v Poryadke," a shoe shining workshop in Ufa, Russia. He learned shoe shining through self-study via the internet and became independent in 2016. He now employs seven staff members and has shined over 12,000 pairs of shoes. He was the champion of the Russian Shoe Shining Championship in 2018.
Michael HÅKANSSON
Runs "Magic Shoe Company" in Sweden, specializing in shoe shining and coloring. In 2018, he was crowned the Swedish shoe shining champion. In recent years, he has also worked on sneakers with hand-painted uppers. His nickname is "Magic Mike."
John CHUNG
Representative of "Mason And Smith," a shoe and leather care store in Singapore. He was crowned champion at the World Championship in Shoe Shining held in London in 2018. He also showcased his coloring skills at the Japan Shoe Shining Championship in 2019.
Yuya HASEGAWA
Representative of "Brift H," a shoe shining salon in Aoyama, Tokyo. He was the first champion at the World Championship in Shoe Shining held in London in 2017. He subsequently initiated the "Japan Shoe Shining Championship" held at Ginza Mitsukoshi.
Go ISHIMI
Representative of "The Way Things Go (TWTG)," a shoe shining salon with locations in Osaka and Tokyo. He won first place at the inaugural Japan Shoe Shining Championship in 2018. The following year, Naoki Terashima from the same salon secured first place, making TWTG the producer of Japan's top shoeshiner for two consecutive years.
Yuta SUGIMURA
Representative of "Y’s Shoeshine," a shoe shining salon in Shizuoka. He placed third at the first Japan Shoe Shining Championship in 2018. In 2019, he was crowned champion at the World Championship in Shoe Shining held in London. He operates primarily from Shizuoka but also works in Tokyo and other regions.
Anton TSYPIN
Representative of "Para v Poryadke," a shoe shining workshop in Ufa, Russia. He learned shoe shining through self-study via the internet and became independent in 2016. He now employs seven staff members and has shined over 12,000 pairs of shoes. He was the champion of the Russian Shoe Shining Championship in 2018.
Michael HÅKANSSON
Runs "Magic Shoe Company" in Sweden, specializing in shoe shining and coloring. In 2018, he was crowned the Swedish shoe shining champion. In recent years, he has also worked on sneakers with hand-painted uppers. His nickname is "Magic Mike."
John CHUNG
Representative of "Mason And Smith," a shoe and leather care store in Singapore. He was crowned champion at the World Championship in Shoe Shining held in London in 2018. He also showcased his coloring skills at the Japan Shoe Shining Championship in 2019.