The Romantic Life of a Shoemaker

The author, Kei Takegawa, is a freelance editor and writer who works extensively for men's fashion magazines such as "GQ," online media, brand and shop catalogs, and corporate publications.

He is particularly known for his long and in-depth coverage of shoes, especially "bespoke shoes" made with traditional craftsmanship. As an editor, I have commissioned work from the author several times. Once, we also drank heavily in the old Tokyo neighborhood he loves. Perhaps through that connection, I was humbly asked to write this introductory text.

The publication of "The Ultimate Shoemaker" is the culmination of the author's life's work and a natural achievement he was bound to accomplish, yet as I mentioned at the beginning, it came as a great shock to me. In other words, it is clearly different from his usual writing. While it draws the reader in with the same compelling force, there is, somehow, a sense of romance about it.

Here is an excerpt from the beginning of Chapter 3, "The Four Crows."

 

"He picked up a smooth stone and threw it at the second-floor window. A sharp sound rang out in the clear air. The window frames creaked as the windows opened one by one, and sleepy faces appeared. 'How long are you going to fool around? Let's go.' 'Yeah.' He woke up Sueo Endo, Keita Suzuki, and Shiro Suzuki, who were sneaking around in a brothel, and they stretched and lit cigarettes."

 

The protagonist of this work, Nobuyoshi Seki, is a craftsman whose career paralleled the post-war shoe industry. He is not just a craftsman, but a legendary figure renowned in his field. After his apprenticeship, he became a journeyman shoemaker, traveled the world as a "traveling shoemaker" (yes, that's a thing), and even ran his own company at times. In the author's words, he was a man who lived a proud, sharp, and intense life, relying solely on his skill.

The essence of the romance that permeates this work is the masculine spirit of Nobuyoshi Seki, forged from work, drink, and honor, and the somewhat seedy, passionate atmosphere of Japan from the post-war era through its period of high economic growth. Through meticulous research and simple yet strong writing, the author masterfully captures that atmosphere.

I initially called this a rare work of nonfiction. It is indeed an undeniable masterpiece depicting the post-war shoe industry, something few others have written about. And as a highly accomplished historical record, it is sure to be read widely and for a long time by the shoe and men's fashion industries.

However, the feeling I had after finishing it in one sitting and sighing was subtly different from the aftertaste of a typical "excellent work of nonfiction." It was closer to the feeling I had after reading Ryo Sekijitsu's "Blood and Bones," Kazuyuki Yamamoto's "Rape Blossom Clearing," Kazuichi Iijima's "Raidennoki," and Takuetsu Asada's "Gambling Chronicle."

In other words, for me, this work was a historical novel set against the backdrop of post-war, and Showa and Heisei era Tokyo, with the unique shoemaker Nobuyoshi Seki as its protagonist. It was a sincere, rich, and incredibly engaging historical novel.

I would like to express my renewed respect for the author and his work in creating this powerful piece of nonfiction.

 

"The Ultimate Shoemaker: Nobuyoshi Seki - A Man Who Dedicated His Life to Craftsmanship and Its Succession"
Now on Sale
Author | Kei Takegawa
Publisher | Shogakukan
Specifications | 46 format, 190 pages
Price | ¥1,620

Nobuyoshi Seki
Born in Tokyo in 1937. He dropped out of high school and entered the world of handmade shoes at the age of 17. After a little over a year of intensive training, he became a traveling shoemaker, competing on skill alone. While working at various workshops, he honed his recognized mastery. From 1990 onwards, he was active in groups like Ethos Club, which promoted the revival of traditional craftsmanship, and also trained three apprentices. He retired in 2012.

Kei Takegawa
Born in Kyoto in 1970. Drawn to the warmth of Tokyo's old neighborhoods, he has lived in and around Asakusa, a major center for shoe production, since starting his career. While working as an editor and writer for magazines and websites focusing on men's fashion, he has personally experienced the poignant atmosphere of decline in this traditional industry and the new life emerging within it. He has authored several books on shoes, including "Choosing Gentlemen's Shoes" (Kobunsha Shinsho).