Japanese Shoes: Bespoke & RTW Super Thread

[ThinkDerm]

so gorgeous. thank you for sharing Robin. wear in good health.

 

[ThunderMarch]



Main-d'or Bespoke is ¥290,000 JPY. Hollowed shoe trees (or badger tail shoe trees) are extra ¥35,000. ¥325,000 comes out to under $2900 USD.

2 trials. 2nd fitting shoes is fully wearable, and tried on for a month or more.

His atelier is located seriously in the middle of nowhere. Plans are underway for him to do hold trunk shows at a renowned tailor in Ginza.

Thanks Robin. I'll be paying him a visit in June. I hope he won't be too difficult to locate with Google maps!

 

[Ltin]

Just came back from Japan and from meeting with Murata-san aka Main-d'or for the delivery of my second pair, a black plain-toe derby.
I was really satisfied with the round toe last for which Murata-san made my first pair (brown adelaide brogues oxford), so I was confident that it would look great on a simple, classic 'plain' toe.

A lot of folks in the industry (in Japan) consider him one of the best, if not the best, maker around. His styling and last designs were more polarised in opinions though. Over the years, I think he made efforts to improve the latter and as far as I can see now, he makes lovely round toes that also fits very well. He does everything alone from beginning to the end. He used to also make the trees by himself, now the talented Ide Yosuke makes it.

The shoes take an awful long time to finish, but the making is nothing short of flawless. He finishes all shoes to a presentation-shoes level. Why finish a pair of shoes (that are meant to be worn) to such a nth degree? Not practical, yes, but it it also speaks to Murata san's own principle of delivering his best for all of his creation (heard somewhere that he makes like one or two pairs a month). Admittedly, he doesn't think he is a good businessman. Anyway, the pictures below show the result.


How shoes were delivered when I entered the studio


3 Eyelet Derby. Always wanted a pair, and waited for a long time to find a suitable shoemaker to craft them.


A classic pattern on a lovely round toe last. Came out quite nice.


No one does soles like Main d'or




Yes it will be ruined upon the first walk, but what the heck. Otherworldly sole.


Hollowed shoe trees.


Along with sample shoes.


How fiddled waist should look!


Lovely round toes. The one on the right is the new version with the last tweaked. Getting close to a perfect round.


18 api on his new sample shoes (different one from above). Not recommended for real world use, he says.

OMG

I'm falling in love with your shoes,Robin! It's so awesome!!
Would you mind telling me how do we contact Murata-san?

 

[Jacke]

Main-d'or Bespoke is ¥290,000 JPY. Hollowed shoe trees (or badger tail shoe trees) are extra ¥35,000. ¥325,000 comes out to under $2900 USD.

2 trials. 2nd fitting shoes is fully wearable, and tried on for a month or more.

His atelier is located seriously in the middle of nowhere. Plans are underway for him to do hold trunk shows at a renowned tailor in Ginza.

That wasn't much at all. Do you know if he speaks English? And btw, your shoes looks great!

 

[ThunderMarch]



That wasn't much at all. Do you know if he speaks English? And btw, your shoes looks great!

Unfortunately he doesn't.
I've been getting a Japanese friend to write emails for me. It's a tedious process.

 

[Jacke]

Unfortunately he doesn't.
I've been getting a Japanese friend to write emails for me. It's a tedious process.

I don't think I will have the time to travel to middle of nowhere this trip. So I guess that gives me time to learn japanese as well.

 

[Jtchinoy]

Is the Japanese vocabulary when talking to these makers about shoe construction very specialized?
Wondering if it's possible to get through the ordering and fittings on daily conversation.

 

[ThunderMarch]



I don't think I will have the time to travel to middle of nowhere this trip. So I guess that gives me time to learn japanese as well. 

Aye....
After starting to appreciate shoes more.... I suddenly realise the usefulness of learning Japanese....
Enjoy your trip!

 

[nutcracker]

Thanks for all the comments folks!!!

OMG

I'm falling in love with your shoes,Robin! It's so awesome!!
Would you mind telling me how do we contact Murata-san?

Main-d'or Email: [email protected]

and yes, Unfortunately Murata san doesn't speak Japanese English

and yes, Japanese have their own terms/vocabulary for shoemaking / shoe parts

 

[casadisartoria]

Hi All,

Just thought I'd share some info on Foster & Son's upcoming trunk show in Tokyo from the 6th to 11th of April, for those that live out there or will be visiting during that time. As you all may know, Emiko Matsuda is their senior shoemaker. See some pics and details below:

Cheers!

Visits are by appointment only.
Please email: [email protected]
or telephone: +44 207 930 5385
Location:
ANA Intercontinental Tokyo 1-12-33 Akasaka Minatoku Tokyo 107-0052

 

[Jtchinoy]



and yes, Japanese have their own terms/vocabulary for shoemaking / shoe parts

Thanks for the answer.
Better read up on foot anatomy and Japanese shoe diagrams before my fitting at Madras, then.

 

[JermynStreet]

What type of leather/which tannery was used on the Main d'Or shoes? Absolutely stunning!

 

[daizawaguy]



Thanks for all the comments folks!!!
Main-d'or Email: [email protected]

and yes, Unfortunately Murata san doesn't speak Japanese

and yes, Japanese have their own terms/vocabulary for shoemaking / shoe parts

What a fantastic thing for gaijin clients - a Japanese shoe maker that does not speak Japanese. I bet his mailbox is full today!

 

[nutcracker]



What a fantastic thing for gaijin clients - a Japanese shoe maker that does not speak Japanese. I bet his mailbox is full today!

Haha, you're right! I mean English

 

[nutcracker]



What type of leather/which tannery was used on the Main d'Or shoes? Absolutely stunning!

My black pair was made from Zonta calf. Really really nice. While he sources his leather from a local dealer, he is extremely selective.