I Was Astonished by the Wonder of Bespoke

"During the first bespoke fitting, Mr. Matsuda (Tomooki Matsuda, President of John Lobb Japan) told me, 'We create the best shoes for you through discussions with the artisans, which is what BE SPOKE means.' I only truly remembered that as my own loafers were completed," says Nakata.

"That is the fundamental principle of craftsmanship, and at the same time, the highest form of it," he continues. "Even John Lobb's ready-to-wear shoes are at an exceptionally high level, but wearing these bespoke ones is entirely different. When choosing shoes normally, I always feel stress on the protruding bone of my left foot, but these feel like a part of my body. I was astonished by the wonder of bespoke."

Conversation: Essential for Creating the Finest

In this series on Nakata's bespoke John Lobb shoes, he closely observed the work of master last maker François Madignier at the John Lobb bespoke atelier in Paris. He also facilitated an encounter between François and Seiji Naito, the fifth-generation master craftsman of the esteemed Kyoto shoemaker "Gion Nai-Toh," bridging French and Japanese artisans.

"Whether in Paris or Kyoto, immersing myself in the manufacturing process and observing the steps involved, I felt firsthand how the brand is built upon a fusion of passion for the product, pride in one's work, and a unique philosophy," says Nakata. "Visiting Paris, learning about John Lobb's history, its dedication, and its pursuit of materials and craftsmanship, I finally understood how truly valuable items are created."

"As the name 'bespoke' suggests, I communicated my preferences while talking with François. I keenly felt that in both Japan and France, ideal creations cannot be completed without engaging in conversation and building relationships at the site of production."

Building Bridges Between Japanese and French Footwear Cultures

After retiring from his professional career and traveling to over 150 cities in approximately 90 countries over three years, Nakata launched "Revalue Nippon" (http://nakata.net/rnp/) in the spring of 2009, a journey across Japan's 47 prefectures. He is now on his second tour of the country.

"My journey is less about introducing Japan and more about fostering connections with people overseas, cultural exchange, and sharing ideas. It's about 'let's create great things together,' and 'let's discover each other.' I believe I played a role in facilitating exchange between François and Naito, contributing to the dialogue between footwear cultures."

Japan possesses world-class techniques and culture, and similarly, the world is rich with remarkable skills and traditions.—Having concluded his bespoke John Lobb journey, Nakata laughs, "Next, I'd like to go on a trip to find leather for shoes."

"The global decline in the number of artisans also means a decrease in those who procure materials. By tracing the people who supply the materials John Lobb uses, I believe one can gain a deeper understanding of the origins of craftsmanship," he explains.

Drawing from this experience, Nakata expressed his desire to study materials further. His eyes conveyed a passion to convey the wonders of craftsmanship to many, respecting diverse cultures across national borders.

Hidetoshi Nakata's John Lobb "Bespoke" Is Finally Complete (3)to be continued

John Lobb "Bespoke"
Price: From ¥1,058,000
*Second pair with the same last: ¥955,800
Timeline: Approximately 4 months from measurement to trial fitting (trion), with delivery approximately 4 months thereafter.

John Lobb Japan
Tel. 03-6267-6010
http://www.johnlobb.com/jp