March 7th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
On March 1, the Japonista Sole team went to shoot the cute Moeko Fujita in her glorious fame wearing the Japonista Sole Tabi Ninja Tabi Boots around the Old Edo town in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture. In one of the scenic spots well-known for all people in the city, we spotted the place where a fox-like wonder dog is being fonded by many tourists and locals for her known powers to grant wishes, desires and dreams of those who hug her tight.
You can see in the picture how she was so cooperative and adorable when you wore gladly the tabi boots that was showed to her.
The place is always crowded with people from all over Japan seeking her powers and fulfilling their dreams. She is even popular among foreigners and tourists hailing from Taiwan, Singapore, Hongkong, China and Korea. There are around 17 TV programs and countless feature articles and write-up about her known as 不思議な犬 or “Fushigi na Inu” for her powers and capacity to somehow fulfill the inner desires of those who seek her blessings. Many popular artists and comedy gimmicks frequent him hoping to find a break in the entertainment industry.
So, if you have the chance to drop by and visit Kawagoe, do not forget to ask to be led to her shelter or maybe you will find her along your tour of the local attractions because she is always ready to welcome and greet fellows by.
Posted in: Uncategorized
March 7th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
Whether you have seen the new and fantastic art below in the Japonista Sole homepage of not, for sure, you will be delighted by the rather refreshingly strong impact of the collaboration work that our Illustrator Kenta Hashiura has done for us.
To match this, he produced the awesome artwork for the next box design.
Ninja x Geisha x Samurai x Kaiju Monster
His profile is quite unorthodox in the sense that he finished with a degree in Architecture from the University of Fukuoka before he came to Tokyo as a full-fledge designer and currently resides in Nakano, next to another subculture placed called Koenji, where the Pop and Moe/Otaku cool-ture is also being becoming a home ground and being brewed in its rich community of likewise aspiring and established artists gathered from all over Japan.
We are sure that by the quality and appeal of his style, he will be among the ones to be watched out in the growing popularity of the Japanese graphic artists and designers around the world.
Hashiura’s skills set includes in overall design, logo, art and print-related work aside form his hobby of illustrating anime. You can check his works in his website here at:
http://chariot.main.jp/
He always accepts freelance work and design aside from his current job affairs. Contact him here at kentahashiura@yahoo.co.jp.
Posted in: Collaboration, Japonista Sole, Ninja Tabi Shoes, Uncategorized
February 17th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
To view the condensed PDF English version, click here to view it:
For the general viewing public, we are providing down here the grasp of the whole catalog for your viewing pleasure.
Thanks for the support!
http://www.japaneseantiquesfinder.com/japonista-sole.com/0publicity/Catalog/0pages/12%20Samourai%20Kamon%20copy%20RGB%20RESIZED.jpg
Posted in: Designs, Japonista Sole, Ninja Tabi Shoes
February 8th, 2010 / 1 Comment » / by admin
The world has witnessed the popularity of the Birkenstock’s, Havaianas, Crocs and other uniquely conceptualized footwear there has been in contemporary history ever since the coming of the all season favorite Chuck Taylor Series Shoes by Converse. Slowly growing a strong ground and following among the highly sophisticated European market, the Jika Tabi footwear, has been slowly creeping the streets of Paris and other fashionista capitals worldwide with its uniquely Japanese appeal and exoticity of its form. The Jika Tabi is just another miracle waiting to bang bang markets worldwide but time will only tell when all human beings will realize that the ultimate feet comfort can be experienced by having allowance among the main toe and the rest of the fingers, providing much needed flexibility, grip and balance that our human feet needs when moving.
To the bewildered foreigners and Japonistas worldwide, it might sound strange but the Jika Tabi Shoes beauty lies in its fit-form over the human foot, celebrating it form in the highest appeal of simplicity and zen. No wonder why people are amazed by the gracefulness of the Japanese wearing tabi shoes, slowly gliding and walking in minute steps on top of the tatami floor mat or inside the Japanese wooden-styled house. The sound of that rather simple walking movement is of much grace and beauty that it representing the appeal of traditional Japanese culture in general. For us, nothing could more sexier than this image of the Japanese woman dressed in yukata or kimono wearing tabi socks or shoes. Argghh…
With this simple hyper imagination, we are proud to offer our own ideas of popularizing Japanese cool-ture worldwide by carefully choosing the Japanese Jika Tabi, redesigning it to capture the rather psychedelic eyes of the foreigners hungry for Japanese fashion and creative expression in general. Wearing the Japonista Sole Jika Tabi series would definitely make you stand out, giving you the status of a new fashion pedestal with eyeballs showering you with much atttention and penchant for something cool and Kawaii. Japonista Sole aims to reintroduce this element of Japanese culture in the form of Jika Tabi with our popular series of colorful, pop and kawaii variations that you would never find anywhere else. This is something straight from Japan, the land of cool-ness, straight from the ninjas, samurais or geishas and you would be assured and guaranteed of a rather Japanese X Western taste collaboration in its design concepts and actual product line.
Long hail the Converse for just really giving us the great simple looking shoes that has a strong impact of fashion statement. With that in mind, along with the the Japonistas worldwide, hoping to spread the beauty, coolness, Kawaii-ness and uniqueness of the Jika Tabi (aka ninja shoes), we hope to spread this global cool and share the healthy concepts within its form.
Japonista Sole aims to introduce and propagate the appeal of the Jika Tabi by not being shibui (Japanese beauty in its cultural aspect) but by being hade (flamboyant, colorful, catchy), which is apt for the making it become loved and cherished by its wearers worldwide. The brand will revolutionize and hype the contemporary fashion taste of Japan by collaborating with many artists, designs and materials in providing a rather alternative shoes that is human-feet-friendly. It can be used as your portable gym or aerobic shoes (it folds and fits easily in your handbag!). Surf or beach shoes (perfect for strolling the beach this coming summer all without the sand on your feet, without the difficulty of walking with slippers and less grip on ground, without the weight of normal shoes and without the heat absorbed by the sand during noon time). Japanese drumming taiko shoes (be loud as the drum!). Cosplay shoes. Everyday slipper/Office footwear.
Posted in: Japonista, Japonista Sole, Ninja Tabi Shoes
February 5th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
Starting from Feb. 1 until 19th, Japonista Sole is running a mini-exhibition showcase at the Design Festa Headquarters in Harajuku. For all those who would like to check out the shoes and the concept, please kindly drop by the gallery from 11am until 8pm everyday. There are free postcards on offer for those who will visit the gallery space.
Posted in: Japonista, Japonista Sole, Ninja Tabi Shoes
Tags: Design Festa
January 27th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
ジャポニスタとは、クールジャパニーズムーブメントを全世界(worldwide)で起こしていこうという共同体(Complex)を構成している一人一人の事です。
クールジャパニーズムーブメントとは、日本文化を誇りに思うジャポニスタ達が、それぞれの自分の分野(field)において、できる事を通じて表現(express)し、それを世界中の人々と共有(share)することです。私たちが世界中の人々に向けて表現しようとしているのは、伝統的な日本文化だけではなく、近代的な日本文化や、それらを融合させた文化も含みます。それらを共有する事を通じて、世界的なクールジャパニーズムーブメントを起こしていきたいと考えています。
次のような方々は、今、私たちが必要としているジャポニスタ達です。
【ジャポニスタ・ショートフィルム製作部門】
・俳優/女優
・脚本家
・メイクアップアーティスト
・スタイリスト
ショートフィルムは必ずしも日本の伝統的な文化を題材としたものであるとは限定しませんが、何かしら日本を世界にアピールする内容を含んでいただきたいです。自身の創造性をどんどん発揮してください！
【ジャポニスタ・チャリティー部門】
ジャポニスタ製の製品を買うと、その売り上げの一部が世界中の満たされない子供たちに寄付されるようなモデルを模索中です。
【ジャポニスタ・アーティスト部門】
<音楽>
・ミュージシャン/バンド
・DJ
ジャポニスタのHPやコミュニティのテーマを作っていただきたいです。将来的に、ジャポニスタ・イベントを開催し、そこで表現していただきたいと考えています。
<デザイナー>
・製品デザイナー
・グラフィック・アーティスト
・イラストレーター
・漫画家
ジャポニスタの製品をデザインしていただく事や、ポスター、イメージキャラクターなどを描いていただいたり、日本の要素を取り入れたアートなどを表現し、世界に発信していただきたいです。
<写真家>
日本的な要素を含む写真や、日本人の持つセンスによって撮られたさまざまな写真そのもの、また、アーティスティックな写真を撮っていただける写真家の方々。アマ、プロを問いません。情熱がある方を探しています。
<モデル>
ジャポニスタの製品のポスター写真を撮る際のモデルを探しています。モデルだけに限定せず、ショートフィルムや、PVに出演していただけるような、情熱のある方を探しています。
<パフォーマー>
・大道芸人/ストリート・パフォーマー
・ダンサー
・コスプレイヤー
ジャポニスタ・イベントを開催した際に、会場を盛り上げていただいたり、PVに出演していただいたりなどしていただけるパフォーマーの方々を探しています。侍、忍者、芸者になって、ショートフィルムや、ポスター撮影に協力していただける方々も探しています。
<テレビゲーム・クリエイター>
日本的なテレビゲーム、またはジャポニスタのイメージキャラクターを使ったテレビケームを製作していただける方を探しています。
皆さんが持っている、ジャポニスタとしての可能性は上記にある以上に多彩だと信じています。上記の方以外の分野でコラボレーションしていただけるジャポニスタの方々もぜひともご参加ください。
私たちは、ジャポニスタ達によるクールジャパニーズムーブメントにより世界中の人々と“和”(Japanese culture, Harmony, Peace, Addition of Japonista, Relaxation, Friendly)を共有しようと考えています。この活動の一環として、地下足袋プロジェクト、ショートフィルムプロジェクトが現在進行しています。今後は、上記にあるさまざまなアーティストたちとコラボレーションし、それぞれプロジェクトをていく事によって、クールジャパニーズムーブメントを世界に向けて起こしていこうと考えています。
少しでも日本文化が好きであったり、日本を世界にアピールしていきたい、何か世界に向けて発信する活動がしたいと考えてる方は、その時点でジャポニスタ・コンプレックスの一員です。一緒に世界に日本を発信していきましょう！
Posted in: Uncategorized
Tags: Cool Japan, Jap, Japanese Fashion, Japonican, Japonisme, Neo Japonisme, クールジャパン
January 27th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
ようこそ、ジャパニーズ・ポップ・クールチャーの世界へ！
ジャパニーズ・ポップ・クールチャーとは日本の伝統文化的な部分と、最先端の流行とが混ざり合った日本風ファッションの事です。
Japonista = Japon/Japan + ista (a la Fashionista but with the flair for something Japanese-inspired); people who loves Japanese culture and Pop-cool-ture.
ジャポニスタ・ソールは地下足袋の美と魂を現代のファッションセンスとコラボレートさせた新しい地下足袋ブランドです。
ジャパニーズ・ポップ・クールチャーのライフスタイル・レボリューション・ムーブメントを起こす上で、「ソールに魂を」もしくは「魂にソールを」という一つのテーマを私達は掲げています。
Japonista.comとその理念、コンセプトを親しんで頂くことによって、私たちは、皆さんに日本のデザイン、アート、ファッションの素晴らしい一面を体感して頂きたいと考えています。
そこで私たちとコラボレーションしていただける方々を募集しています。具体的には、
・ジャポニスタ・ソールのイメージミュージックを作ってくださる、ミュージシャンまたはバンドの方々
・ジャポニスタ・ソールのポスター、地下足袋のデザインを考えてくださるイラストレーターまたはグラフィックアーティスト
・地下足袋のほかにジャポニスタ・ソールの製品をデザインして頂けるデザイナーの方々です。
詳細をご希望の方はメッセージをお願いいたします。
一緒に地下足袋ブランドと日本のカッコいい文化、ジャポニスタを世界に広めていきましょう！
最近撮影した地下足袋の写真です！
http://www.flickr.com/photos/japonista/
http://www.japonista-sole.com/geisha/
Posted in: Coolturism, Japonista, Japonista Sole
Tags: ジャポニスタ
January 24th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
These are the visual representations of the concept and approach behind the Japonista Sole brand.
]
Which one is your fave then?
:p
Posted in: Coolturism, Designs, Japonista, Japonista Sole, Ninja Tabi Shoes
Tags: Kawaii Jika Tabi Japanese Ninja Samurai Geisha Matsuri Festival Taiko Dance Yoga Surf Beach Martial Arts Shoes
January 24th, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
To the rather stereotype foreigners who love and like Japan, admittedly, the only 3 keywords that can capture and characterize Japan for them are: Samurai, Ninja and Geisha. These are the major themes that may be unknowingly capturing our fascination of this rather Japonisme Cool-turism movement thru the media and means of Anime, J-Music, Visual Kei, Street Fashion, rebellious youth genres and subcultures present in the organized chaotic scene that can be observed locally.
With this as the guiding light in our aspiration to spread coolness using these 3 themes, we are proud to release our contribution to the exploding Japanese fashion influence by picking out on the rather eccentric image that Jika Tabi Shoes possess. Japonista Sole is a brand born out of collaboration and fusion of the passion that resides deep within the contemporary Japanese society. We wish to spread the soul and integrity of what is being “cool”. To the first-timer, what the heck are these shoes? For us, you better try it for yourself to find out how good the fit and form is. Widely used in Japanese festivals and Taiko/Wadaiko or Japanese Drum performances, the Jika Tabi has to be reborn and set free and be the ambassador of what is original Japanese footwear all about. Birkenstock is for Germany, Havaianas for Brazil. Crocs for USA. Japonista Sole for Japan.
The packaging is truly a product and labor of love for Japan and pop-cool-ture.
Buyers of our shoes will get to have that juicy and oishii-looking box that houses that ever-adored Jika Tabi Shoes containing our original postcard series, free socks and some random surprises!
Where can you ever this kind of treatment anywhere? Nowhere but here. This is our own way of putting premium worth and service to the appreciators of our works.
Did you know that Jika Tabi is really cool to match your ever-fave jeans or denim? Check out our coming fashion shoot between a collaboration with the successful brand, Cote Mer Vintage Jeans Label and our own Jika Tabi series.
Did you know that Jika Tabi is also being widely used these days as an alternative Taichi-like or Yoga sessions? They just made the exercise much better and more enjoyable!
Please help spread the word about the coolness and goodness of wearing the Jika Tabi the Japonista Sole way. Thanks a bunch for all those supporters of our cause again!
Posted in: Coolturism, Designs, Japonista, Japonista Sole, Ninja Tabi Shoes
Tags: Kawaii Jika Tabi Japanese Ninja Samurai Geisha Matsuri Festival Taiko Dance Yoga Surf Beach Martial Arts Shoes
January 23rd, 2010 / No Comments » / by admin
To all denim lovers and vintage jeans fans and enthusiasts! We are proud to release the new line-up of Cote Mer Jeans, the newest and hottest vintage/surf/ocean side clothing premium label brand established last year 2009.
The following jeans are up for sale with the suggested SRP (in Japanese yen as being sold in respective official local stores and outlets) as detailed below:
*For direct orders, please send an email including your order (jeans model #), preferred size (we have basically sizes S, M or L ranging from 28 inches-36 inches) and fit (whether loose or tight), and shipping address to japonista@gmail.com and we can send you a direct billing invoice via paypal.
CTM-002 – 19,800 yen
Straight/Slim/Standard Cut
CTM-006 – 12,800 yen
Skinny/Slim fit
CTM-008- 13,800 yen
Skinny/slim fit
CTM-009 – 13,800 yen
Skinny/slim fit + Punk Crashed Style
CTM-010 – 12,800 yen
Standard Cut/Straight + Dark Wash
CTM-011 – 14,800 yen
Oiled / Industrial Wash and Paint – Biker/Rocker Style
CTM-012- 10,800 yen
Simple plain standard slim/skinny fit
CTM-013 – 12,800 yen
Original Vintage Taste Standard Fit
CTM-016 – 12,800 yen
Dark Blue Wash + Skinny Fit
CTM-017 – 19,800 yen
(Straight/Slim/Skinny and heavily crashed blue washed denim)
CTM-018 – 10,800 yen
(ala Nudie, slim/skinny type)
CTM-013 – 12,800 yen
(Regular Washed, straight, vintage classic style denim)
CTM-019 – 15,800 yen
(Rock-n-roll super crashed vintage work denim)
CTM-020 – 14,800 yen
Workman style vintage wash slim fit
CTM-021 – 14,800 yen
Light wash and vintage crash and damaged denim
CTM-022 – 14,800 yen
Faded and vintage wash light skinny slim fit denim
CTM – 023 – 15,800 yen
Super slim skinny fit with side pocket
CTM-024- 19,800 yen
Stitched damaged and crashed vintage wash standard straight fit denim
CTM-025 – 14,800 yen
Retro Vintage wash skinny slim fit jeans
CTM-026 – 14,800 yen
Mid-tone wash skinny slim fit jeans
CTM-027 – 15,800 yen
Mid-tone wash skinny slim fit jeans + zipper pocket
CTM-028 – 19,800 yen
Blue wash skinny slim fit jeans
CTM-029 – Y19,800 yen
Retro cool vintage wash
CTM-030 – 24,800 yen
Standard fit straight super crash denim jeans
Thank you once again for your patronage and all the fans of our website and advocacy, we vow to keep on improving everything to help spreading cool-ture worldwide then. Domo arigato and we are waiting for your orders!
Posted in: COTE Mer Jeans, Premium Japanese Vintage Street Fashion Jeans / Denim
Tags: Premiumm Japanese Vintage Jeans Denim Japan Blue Okayama Momotaro Evisu Juvenile Delinquent Wagara Oriental Fashion Brand
Japonista = Japon/Japan + ista (a la Fashionista but with the flair for something Japanese-inspired); people who loves Japanese culture and Pop-cool-ture. 
