Shinji Hara×Chisako Takashima

2012.01.01

A talk series with the violinist Chisako Takashima and the Ginza people. Ginza holds many personal and professional memories for Takashima. In this talk series, she thoroughly explores various aspects of the Ginza culture with her guests. Today’s guest is Shinji Hara, the fifth generation manager and bearer of the name of the long-standing Japanese footwear shop, Ginza Yoitaya.

There was a period when I worked as a salesman for a manufacturer.

Takashima: Could you please tell us the history of Yoitaya?
Hara　: It started when my ancestors first came here from Yoitamachi in Nagaoka, Niigata prefecture to open a footwear shop. That was 134 years ago.
Takashima: Has your shop always been in the current location?
Hara　: Yes, it has. Some people say that the area was covered in shepherd’s-purse flowers at the time.
Takashima: When did you start this trade?
Hara　: I started when I was 29, so it has been ten years now. I am the fifth generation manager.
Takashima: Did you have any uncertainties about starting this profession?
Hara　: Yes, I did have some. In fact, I worked a regular job for a while after graduating from high school. I worked as a salesman for a food product manufacturer.
Takashima: No kidding!
Hara　: Yes, and after about seven years I finally realized that I wanted to work in a trade.
Takashima: During that period, were you under any pressure from your father?
Hara　: He didn’t say anything, but he was worried. And actually it’s a good thing that he didn’t say anything.
Takashima: How many other footwear shops are there in Ginza?
Hara　: There are about five. There are much fewer specialty shops today than there used to be. Footwear shop culture is said to be from Edo. As the saying goes, Edo was the place for footwear, and Osaka was the place for food.
Takashima: Has Yoitaya introduced any special products?
Hara　: We introduced ‘jikazuke’ zori (‘zori’ are flat, thonged Japanese sandals) that have a very thin enamel layer on the heel. Simply changing the height of the heel can give the zori a very stylish appearance.

Ginza Yoitaya’s Jikazuke zori

We are very proud to offer immediate service by on-site craftsmen.

Takashima: I heard that you can custom order zori at Yoitaya that are made to fit your feet.
Hara　: Even if we measure the size of feet, size 23 cm feet can be completely different for each customer, for example if they have a higher arch or wider foot. We want to make footwear that is the perfect match. Also, the soles and hanao (thongs) of zori are separate, so you can create a completely original pair with different combinations.
Takashima: How many craftsmen are working for Yoitaya at the moment?
Hara　: There are three people including myself. At my shop, we are proud that there is always a craftsman on site. This means that you never have to leave your footwear behind — we will work on your order right away. Shops offering this type of service are rare.
Takashima: That is really wonderful. People are very busy and don’t have the time to come back to a shop again later to pick up your order.
Hara　: I think it’s not right to make a person wait days for their order.
Takashima: It is actually very surprising that this such a traditional shop would provide such immediate service.
Hara　: I think of this trade as a face-to-face business. We consider it important to have the customer try on the product at our shop so that we can adjust it to match their feet perfectly.
Takashima: Do you have many long-time customers?
Hara　: Yes, we do. Some customers have been visiting our shop since before I was born, and many customers come here together with their parents. We very much appreciate their business.

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