Japanese Craftsmanship Captivates the World

In an era where globalization is widely discussed, manufacturing locations for industrial products are constantly shifting worldwide in pursuit of lower costs. Amidst this, Japanese craftsmanship is being re-evaluated. Not for lower costs, but by people around the globe seeking high quality.

Particularly in fashion, an increasing number of top European and American brands are commissioning Japanese factories for production and material sourcing.

Embodying this Japanese craftsmanship that captivates the world is the business footwear from Regal, a leading long-established shoemaker in our country.




While many shoemakers outsource production overseas, approximately 90% of Regal's men's shoes are currently produced in its own factories within Japan. The company's pride, the "hand-finished" leather shoes, are a prime example of this capability. Standard leather shoes are sewn using leather that has already undergone some finishing, including coloring. However, for hand-finished shoes, unfinished leather is used, and after the upper is sewn, the coloring process is meticulously done by hand by artisans.

Using transparent dyes, the leather is coated multiple times with a sponge to prevent blotchiness. This manual process creates natural color variations and a deep expression unique to each pair, imbuing them with a sophisticated, antique-like quality. It goes without saying that this process requires more effort and time than usual, but there's another remarkable point. Hand-coloring with dyes is essentially a one-shot process; it cannot be redone. Artisans must rely on their years of accumulated skill, intuition, and their own aesthetic sense to apply color without hesitation.




In other words, it demands not only high technical skill but also a refined sensibility. Artisans are often adept at creating uniform products, but struggle with producing unique items. It is this sophisticated sensibility, transcending the typical artisan's inclination, that gives birth to shoes with a rich, human touch, and in turn, lends a profound allure to Japanese craftsmanship.

Molding to You, Becoming Uniquely Yours

Furthermore, Regal's traditional Goodyear welt construction is employed for these hand-finished leather shoes. This method, passed down for over a century, offers exceptional durability, but its most notable feature is how the comfort improves with wear. The cork material used as cushioning in the insole molds to the wearer's foot shape, providing an outstanding fit. Regal also uses thick, natural pigskin leather for the insoles, which remembers the footprint, ensuring a comfortable fit that becomes indispensable within weeks.





Another advantage of the Goodyear welt construction is the replaceable outsole, and Regal's aftercare system is equally robust. The insole and the footbed that remembers the foot's shape can be carefully reassembled and reused by skilled artisans if they are not damaged. This means the familiar fit returns after repair. This is a strength of having repairs done at their own factories with genuine parts, and it exemplifies the meticulous Japanese craftsmanship that doesn't just sell and forget.

Regal's hand-finished shoes, each with its own unique expression, not only become more comfortable with wear but also develop a lustrous sheen enhanced by the subtle variations from hand-painting, truly becoming a one-of-a-kind pair for the owner. It is this enduring appeal, fostering affection with every wear, that is undoubtedly the charm of Japanese craftsmanship sought by the world.

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