3-Minute Overview: 5 Highlights of Hakimono Sekizuka Zori

5 Highlights of Hakimono Sekizuka Zori

Born in Niigata in 1982, Sekizuka Shinji opened Hakimono Sekizuka and Iwakura AA in Iwakura, Kyoto. Sekizuka has been in the footwear game for many years, previously working for the renowned Gion Naito.
Taking the customers preferences into consideration, he suggest colors, shapes, and materials to ensure the perfect custom product. He then measures the feet of the soon to be wearer in depth, to create the perfect slope, width, and height.

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* For best results, measurements should be taken in store by a trained Ginza Motoji staff member, or by Sekizuka himself. For those who can not visit our store, is also possible to order completely remotely.

Highlight ①: Contemporary Aesthetics in Form and Color
Highlight ②: Uncompromising Commitment to Materials
Highlight ③: Unparalleled Comfort through Precise Fitting
Highlight ④: Exclusive Ginza Motoji × Hakimono Sekizuka Collaboration Hanao
Highlight ⑤: Recognized on the Paris Fashion Week Stage

Highlight ①
 Contemporary Aesthetics in Form and Colour

Light, comfortable, and cleanly minimalist in design, the footwear by Sekizuka captivates with a timeless sense of beauty. Rooted in the traditions he honed at a long-established zori atelier in Kyoto’s Gion, his creations uniquely blend classic craftsmanship with a modern sense of style. The refined silhouettes and subtle colour choices make each pair stylish, when they are worn as well as when they are waiting for you at the genkan.

In the column Fueki Ryūkō – Yuria and Kimono – Vol.13: “On Footwear”, Shinji Sekizuka, Mademoiselle Yulia, and Keita Motoji take a trip to the Footwear Museum and Onomichi, each wearing a pair of Hakimono Sekizuka shoes.
不易流行―ゆりあときもの―vol.13「履物のお話」より (Japnaese Only)

A renovated timber warehouse in Kyoto now houses Hakimono Sekizuka alongside the gallery Iwakura AA, a space where Sekizuka’s refined sensibility is evident in every detail.

Check out the Hakimono Sekizuka Instagram here

Highlight ②
Uncompromising Commitment to Materials

From traditional materials to cutting-edge innovations, Sekizuka approaches every option with equal curiosity and care. Each component is selected based on its ability to deliver on function as well as beauty. His pursuit of comfort and elegance extends even to the parts that remain unseen.

Whether dismantling every type of hanao he can source to study their inner structure, or seeking out the master rope-makers of Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine in search of the finest hemp cord, Sekizuka spares no effort in his quest for the ideal form. This unwavering commitment is what gives his footwear its exceptional comfort.

Examples of his material choices include:
・Hanao core rope: domestically sourced pure hemp
・Hanao padding: soft, 100% cotton wadding
・Zori base interior: solid corkboard for lasting support
・Outsole: Vibram sole for grip on asphalt and wet surfaces
・Zori base coverings: hand-selected for quality and character, including Zermatt leather, cordovan, sheepskin, stain-proof fabrics, tsuzure-ori brocade, and ultrasuede.

Highlight ③
Unparalleled Comfort through Precise Fitting

While most custom-made zori bases come with one hole at the front and two at the back, Sekizuka’s bases are deliberately left without any. That’s because each pair is made to fit the individual — holes are placed only after the customer’s feet have been carefully measured.

From differences in foot length to instep height and width, the position of the holes is finely adjusted to suit each wearer. Even the hanao is curved to follow the contours of the foot. These subtle adjustments allow the hanao to gently hold the instep, creating a snug, almost suction-like fit.

Some prefer leaving the heel slightly exposed for a more traditional look, and others to fit flush to the back of their foot, its all up to you.

(Left) Each hanao is individually adjusted, ensuring a comfortable and secure fit.
(Right) The hanao on the right shows before shaping; the left shows after shaping into a gentle curve.

Highlight④
Exclusive Ginza Motoji × Hakimono Sekizuka Collaboration Hanao

As a special collaborative project between Ginza Motoji and Hakimono Sekizuka, we have created exclusive hanao crafted using Platinum Boy silk and Tamba-fu fabric. 

Below you can see a few examples of hanao made with Tamba-fu, which was beloved by Yanagi Muneyoshi, the founder of the Mingei movement.

Left: Hanao crafted from Tamba-fu fabric
Right: Hanao made with Platinum Boy silk, the pure domestically produced silk exclusively developed by Ginza Motoji.

Highlight⑤
Recognized on the Paris Fashion Week Stage

Since the brand's inception in 2020, Hakimono Sekizuka has attracted attention from within and beyond the industry for innovative collaborations that transcend boundaries between Japanese and Western styles. Notably, its footwear collaboration with Mame Kurogouchi at the Autumn/Winter 2022 Paris Fashion Week gained significant acclaim, adding stylish flair to the collection.

Mame Kurogouchi 2020 F/W

Sekizuka's commitment to materials.

The hanao core made from domestically produced pure hemp cord.

The core rope connecting the hanao to the sole is a vital component determining the comfort of the footwear. While most zori on the market today use inexpensive nylon-based ropes, Sekizuka is committed to using domestically produced hemp.

Nylon cord tends to stretch rather than break under stress, causing the hanao to loosen over time. This defeats the purpose of creating footwear tailored precisely to the individual's measurements. In contrast, natural hemp maintains its tension once tied, offering sustained comfort and a reliable fit.

When Japan’s only workshop producing hemp rope ceased operations, Sekizuka faced great difficulty securing materials. Eventually, Sekizuka reached out to a craftsman who makes sacred shimenawa ropes for Kyoto’s Yasaka Shrine. After careful negotiation, the artisan agreed to produce "the thinnest rope in his career." Furthermore, the rope’s segment passing through the hanao is intentionally flattened, removing twists to ensure it feels gentle against the foot.

The padding inside the hanao is made from premium 100% cotton

Using high-quality, domestically sourced cotton with carefully aligned fibres, the hanao are crafted to ensure a smooth and gentle feel against the foot.

The zori soles are made from a single solid piece of cork.

The lightness of the zori sole plays a key role in reducing fatigue. While most soles are made by layering thin sheets of cork with adhesive, resulting in added weight, Hakimono Sekizuka takes a different approach. To prioritise lightness, each pair is crafted from a single solid piece of cork, eliminating the need for glue and ensuring a more comfortable wear.

Equipped with Vibram soles for superior grip on asphalt and wet surfaces.

As an optional sole material, Sekizuka now offers a new high-performance compound also used in mountaineering boots. Known for its excellent grip and durability, it provides cushioning and reduces strain on the body, offering reliable comfort even on wet surfaces or on slippery tiles.

A carefully curated selection leathers and other textiles.

Entrefino Spanish Sheep's leather for a soft and lustrous texture.

When people think of Sekizuka zori, they often think of them made in this supple sheep's leather, Entrefino. Used by the top houses in fashion as gloves and other leather accessories, favoured for its buttery smooth texture.  This textile can be used for both the base and the straps of the zori.

Cordovan Leather, One of the most luxurious leathers in shoemaking.

Cordovan refers to a special type of leather made from a specific layer of skin found only in the rump area of a horse. This unique section, known as the cordovan layer, is approximately 2mm thick. Extracting it without causing damage requires a high level of skill and experience. Due to the complexity of this process and the rarity of the material, cordovan is often likened to gemstone mining. Its distinctive lustre and beauty have also earned it 

Ultrasuede, Durability in a wealth of colours

TORAY's high-performance ultrasuede, valued for its lasting beauty and exceptional durability, which has led to its use in car and airplane interiors. It is water-resistant yet breathable and moisture-permeable, making it easy to care for. With a wide variety of colours available, you can also enjoy changing the colour of just the sides for added flair.

Stainproof, for rainy days.

This thick, water-repellent fabric was developed in Tochio, Niigata Prefecture, a region known for textile production. It is also used for interior furnishings and offers a casual look for everyday enjoyment.
This material can be used to make both zōri soles and hanao.

Tsuzure-ori, A smooth texture with a clean, simple-modern feel 

The refined appearance of this tightly woven silk fabric has earned it a reputation as the "ultimate in stylish footwear." You can choose your preferred colour from a wide selection curated by Sekizuka.
This material can be used to make both zōri soles and hanao.

Fully waterproof cowhide leather, French-made Zermatt.

This top-grade cowhide leather is produced by Degermann, a French tannery with over 300 years of history. While preserving the traditional look and feel of natural leather, it also offers excellent waterproofing and hypoallergenic properties, making it a popular choice for watch straps.
Pairing it with a Vibram sole results in a highly water-resistant pair of zōri.
This material can be used to make both zōri soles and hanao.