One of the highlights of the ISETAN Shoe Fair is the "Shoe Shine Stand," a collaboration of shoe polishing professionals.
So, let me introduce the six elite individuals who have come from all over the country. Please refer to their profiles and their prized pair of shoes, and feel free to make your selection! In the latter half of the article, four shoe shiners share their passionate enthusiasm as the shoe expo approaches.

Here are the 6 passionate shoe shiners selected for Shoe Expo 2022!

An emergency roundtable discussion will be held in preparation for Shoe Expo 2022!

Just like the attendees, this year's shoe fair is a major event for the performers as well. What kind of enthusiasm do the four shoe shiners who will liven up the event have as they approach opening day? We asked them to share their thoughts, along with their memories of past shoe fairs.

This year's event will feature "Shoe Shine Stand," bringing together some of the best shoe shiners in Japan.

Togashi-san: The event is finally just around the corner!

Hamaoka: Lately, due to the impact of COVID-19, the number of major events has decreased significantly, so expectations for this year's shoe fair have risen considerably, haven't they?

Sugimura: I'm based in Shizuoka, so I've had far fewer opportunities to come to Tokyo since the pandemic. It's a great honor to be able to meet all the craftsmen again like this.

Togashi: It's been a while, but you're as serious as ever (laughs).

Niida: But I understand how you feel. I've come to realize just how precious direct communication with colleagues and customers is, something I used to take for granted.

Sugimura: Although they couldn't participate in today's roundtable discussion, Ishimi from Osaka and Terashima from Kyoto will also be joining us. I'm looking forward to it.

Enjoying the different polishing techniques used by each craftsman is one of the unique aspects of this event.

Hamaoka: I've been participating in the shoe fair since 2019, but last year we had no choice but to reduce the scale. In that respect, I want to make a comeback this time. Personally, I want to make it even better than the 2020 shoe fair.

Sugimura: It was incredible back then. Dozens of customers came as soon as we opened, and there was a long line.

Hamaoka: All four of us here have experience with this, and we all found that our reservation slots for the day were filled up by midday.

Togashi: I'm really grateful. But deep down, I'm scared. Even though we're all good friends as craftsmen, we're all rivals in a way. I worry about what will happen if I'm the only one who isn't popular.

Sugimura: If I had some free time, I'd think about going over and bothering them, haha.

Niida: That's right. But we didn't have that luxury, haha. And that just made us more and more excited, and it became even more fun.

Togashi: Shoe shiners from all over the country have gathered, making it feel like a festival. You won't find another event of this scale anywhere else in the country.

Niida: Absolutely. I think that's a unique value of the shoe fair.

Hamaoka: The work of shoe shiners may all look the same, but in reality, each one has their own unique style. All the craftsmen exhibiting at the shoe exhibition are, of course, very skilled, but the shoes take on a different charm depending on who is shining them. I hope you will experience that difference for yourself.


Sugimura: You can kind of tell who polished the shoes just by looking at them.

Togashi: Yes, yes. For example, Sugimura's use of color gradation is really beautiful. Even with single-color shoes, he uses several different colored waxes.

Niida: That's true. Even with black shoes, he deliberately doesn't use black wax; he always seems to add a unique twist.

Sugimura: I'm flattered, haha.

Togashi: Niida has an artistic feel to him.

Niida: It might be because of my easily bored personality. I don't like doing the same thing twice. For example, when it comes to how to light things up, I think about it while looking at the customers' faces on site.

Togashi: Naturally, the tools used and the polishing process are different, and I think that's something that leather shoe enthusiasts will find irresistible.

Hamaoka: There are individual differences in the conversations that take place while polishing shoes. Craftsmen might have a rigid image, but at the shoe fair, everyone is having a great time, and the atmosphere is very friendly. Since our booths are close together, it's a secret pleasure of mine to try and find out what kind of conversations everyone is having with their customers.

Sugimura: Last time, I was sitting next to Togashi-san. It was really interesting.

Togashi: We did all sorts of things, like talking about rhinoceros beetles and ghost stories. It was perfect for the end of summer, wasn't it? (laughs) Even though the audience was right there, we were having a cross-talk with Sugimura-san.

Niida: Talking about shoes naturally leads to talking about work. Everyone has their own story, so it's really interesting to listen to. Knowing how the shoes are used changes how you polish them, too.

Togashi: Oh, that's unfair. You're suddenly so serious. But you're right. I try to listen to what they have to say in a natural conversation and then provide care and finishing touches that are appropriate for them.


Togashi: In any case, I hope you'll look forward to it not just as talk about shoes and fashion, but also as a unique form of communication.

Sugimura: No matter how many times you come, I'll never let you get bored!

Niida: In fact, some customers come in every day and request a different craftsman for each pair of shoes they want polished.

Togashi: I once noticed a customer in the booth next door, and suddenly they called out, "Togashi-san, I'm coming tomorrow!"

Hamaoka: Speaking of which, I've heard rumors that there's a real pro who manages to polish every single shoe at the shoe fair. And it's true! You can see for yourself on Instagram.

Togashi: It's amazing how enthusiastic everyone is. Brift H, where Niida works, has multiple craftsmen rotating in and out from period to period, so the regulars must have an even higher participation rate than Niida.

Niida: That's certainly what happens, haha.

Passionate, yet approachable. You'll love leather shoes even more.

Sugimura: Well, the shoe fair is a major event that both we and our customers are very enthusiastic about.

Togashi: Hey, what's going on? You're suddenly trying to wrap things up, aren't you?

Hamaoka: It looks like we're almost out of time (laughs). Anyway, whether you're a regular, a first-timer, or of course, us, let's all work together to make this a great event!

Sugimura: Especially for first-timers, I hope you'll come with a relaxed attitude. Don't feel any strange hurdles when it comes to shoe shining.

Togashi: That's right, there are no hurdles. You can see that just by looking at what I'm wearing today, right? Everyone else is dressed sharply in suits, but actually, everyone is casual and friendly. Niida-san is always kind and even teaches me how to polish things nicely. And Hamaoka-san is always working hard and sweating profusely, haha.

Hamaoka: That has nothing to do with shoe polishing, right?

Everyone: LOL

Hamaoka: We're all like this, so please feel free to come and visit us!


Shoe Shine Stand Reservations

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■THE WAY THINGS GO_Go Ishimi
• Participation dates: October 1st (Sat) - 2nd (Sun) (Reservations required )

■Y's Shoeshine_Yuta Sugimura
• Participation dates: October 1st (Sat) - 2nd (Sun) (Reservations required )

■BRIFT STAND_Hiroshi Hamaoka
• Participation dates: October 1st (Sat) - 2nd (Sun) (Reservations required )

■GMT FACTORY_Teruyoshi Togashi
• Participation dates: September 23rd (Fri/Holiday) - 25th (Sun) Reservations required

■Brift H_Mako Tsurumi
• Participation dates: September 23rd (Fri, holiday) and 25th (Sun) *Tomoya Tahara (Brift H) will be in-store on September 24th (Sat) by appointment only

■HARK KYOTO_Naoki Terashima
• Participation dates: September 23rd (Fri/Holiday) - 25th (Sun) Reservations required

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