Originally a 3-tsubo tobacco shop space

"I started my career at a shoe manufacturer, where designing, manufacturing, and repairing shoes were all standard practices. When I returned to Japan after training in England, I didn't have much money and was hired as a part-timer at a local repair shop near the station. Coincidentally, that shop was a designated repair contractor for the shoe department on the B1 floor of Isetan Shinjuku Men's Building, which allowed me to gain repair experience," says Katsukawa.

Later, he stumbled upon a 3-tsubo space that was formerly a tobacco shop. In 2010, he launched it as the lifestyle shop "THE SHOE OF LIFE."

When asked about the origin of the shop's name, he explained, "Looking back on my life, it all started with a love for shoes, and now shoes are my livelihood. I named it with the hope that the shoes I create and repair would become 'a pair for life' for each person." He still works at the shop on one of the weekend days when he doesn't have other commitments.

Repairs are a daily part of life.

Katsukawa's parents were hairdressers, so he was accustomed to working in a shop environment from childhood. "In a town that's an extension of local life, it's a simple job, but I'm very happy to be able to offer my skills. Most of the work involves resoling, attaching rubber soles, replacing heels, and reinforcement, but repairing shoes as a necessity is also a good learning experience for me," he says. Due to the location, he also handles repairs for many high-end brand shoes, and sometimes finds himself thinking, "These really are wonderful" while working on them.

Katsukawa's definition of "good shoes"

When asked about the definition of a professional in the shoe industry, he uses the analogy of a professional chef. "The criteria for good shoes include design, materials, color, innovative ideas, construction quality, and comfort, among other things. But what I value most is a professional mindset. A professional chef's cooking is delicious because they can achieve a flavor that ordinary people can't, which involves not cutting corners and continuous improvement. I want to always offer the best materials, craftsmanship, and design," he replies.

"As a creator, my role involves many different elements, and I want to offer various positive aspects. For example, elements that enrich the wearer's life. I'm always searching for those elements, and this year, that translates into the concept of CITY CLIMBING for urban dwellers. In terms of shoes, comfort is paramount, but I believe my role extends beyond that. I want to offer something unique, including comfort."

Regarding deerskin, a material he has worked with since his debut collection, he states, "Considering practicality, deerskin might not be the obvious choice. However, in this fortunate era and environment, the challenge of using deerskin, incorporating an element of playfulness, is something unique to Tokyo. I will continue to pursue this."


THE SHOE OF LIFE
2-22-4 Ohashi, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, Masumoto Building
Tel. 03-3467-8766
Business Hours | 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM, Closed Wednesdays

http://shoeoflife.blogspot.com/