Imai Hiroki - The Ultimate Summer sandal

Mostly for the Summer men are in loafers, boaters, Belgian shoes, espadrilles (for the beach) very seldom do we see a sandal shoe. For the day I have sampled a very unique sandal shoe from Master Imai Hiroki . The sandal is in to tones, open to let ventilation  pass through when it gets very hot - air condition we could say. 
The design is very unique, so well done and executed, this shoe it's worth any shoe wardrobe. Enjoy it.

Master Imai Hiroki sandal for those very hot days

Photo sourced from Master Imai Hiroki's Facebook Profile

Bespoke shoes from Osamu Egewa - Japan

For the day I have sampled shoes and boots from Master Esamu Egewa  from Japan. Some of the shoes have a bit of a twist, splash and dash which I have never seen before. I would like to highlight the wing Balmoral Oxford in brown calf and brown suede, where the lacing is extra covered. Interesting indeed. The black calf and black suede Chukka with the tassel lacings. Another interesting and unique creation. Lastly the button Balmoral boot, nothing strange about it, rather the hide selection, which is a combination of calf and what looks like elephant hide (top part) then it is green(ish).

Well take a peak and judge for yourselves.

Wing Balmoral Oxford with extra closing

 Two toned Balmoral Boot in calf and Calf (upper grained hide in brown)

 Bootie, not sure to name it Chukka, but a bootie in calf and suede with strange lacing.

 Button Balmoral boot in calf and exotic (elephant??) two toned

Co-respondant Full brogue Oxford boot

 Co-respondant full brogue Oxford shoe

 Stitched cap toe Oxford in a nice antique patina

Photos sourced from Master Esamu Egewa 

Galoshed Balmoral Oxford from Japan - Yuki Shirahama

I have for the day sampled a galosh (Balmoral Oxford) with a punched cap toe, a medallion in black calf hide. The shoe has a squared chisel toe and has that "no-nonsense" attitude. At first I thought it was a Master Bestetti creation, then realised, it was by Master Yuki Shirahama from Japan.

I think I have earlier stated that I do have a Galoshed Balmoral with a round toe and no medallion in a tan colour from G&G. I simply like the Galoshed Balmoral Oxford, first it is not so often you see it, secondly it has many possibilities. It could be renditioned with any hide & suede, or like below calf on calf. 

If the brogueing and punching was not so well done and kept in balance, it would make this shoe a bit "vulgar" or "too much going on" look, but Master YS kept it in proportions so well done and that is why I like this rendition. As I mentioned, this shoe has an attitude, very good and masculine attitude. No nonsense Galosh shoe.
Sometimes it's best just to look and admire the shoe, instead of a lot of talk... 

Balmoral (galosh punched) with a punched cap toe with a medallion, squared chisel last

Photos sourced from The Shoe Realist

Japanese shoe p0rn from TYE Shoemaker

For the day I have picked some samples of shoes made by a Japanese shoemaker by the name TYE Shoemaker. I have to admit that the Japanese gents maybe the luckiest men on  Earth in regards to the multitude of Japanese bespoke shoemakers to select from. What caught my attention from TYES collection was the weaved shoes (Chukka) and the loafer, not the type of shoe (woven) you encounter on a daily basis and thus very perfect for the Summer and then there is the crocodile Chukka in Nubuck and with a Norwegian welt. Let us have the pictures speak for themselves.

Woven two tier Chukka boot made of calf suede in red. WOW!

Woven (vamp and counter) calf suede tassel loafers. 

Crocodile nubuck two tier Chukka boot with Norwegian welt

Woven tan leather two tier Derby

Black brogue field boot

Wedding shoes for a lady

A picked cap toe Derby for a lady in black and tan

Photos sourced from TYE Shoemaker on Facebook

Shoji Kawaguchi aka Marquess a brown crocodile shoe for a lady

For the day I am taking a "little" break from the gent's shoes and pay tribute to the ladies, therefore I have sampled a lady's shoe in crocodile with ribbon laces as renditioned by Japanese bespoke shoemaker Shoji Kawaguchi aka "Marquess". The below depicted shoe has the tiny little details that makes me go: WoW!!!! What a beautiful shoe. This is a tribute to the ladies, hope you will enjoy as I did.

Brown crocodile three tier ribbon laced lady shoe with a nice rounded toe last. Elegant and feminine. 

 Viewing the back of the shoe, ...the curves, the roundness, proportions, contours and silhouette of this shoe, just so female like. Look at the two different scaling of the hide. Left side rather small scaled and the right side large scaled hide. The heel. Hmmmm fascinating, lovely.

All photos sourced from the The Marquess

Koji Suzuki (Spigola) Lazy man's shoe rendition

For closing the day, I have again sampled a side gusset punched cap toe Oxford with "faux laces" - "Lazy Man's shoe" as renditioned by Japanese Master Koji Suzuki. Need not say that Master Suzuki is a master of making the most amazing renditions of shoes, simple, elegant and classic, yet paying much attention to the tiny details and with great respect to the shoemaking art. 
Now the below "Lazy Man's shoe" because of the side gussets and the false laces, is a classical punched cap toe with a chisel square, the colour an espresso brown (nothing special about that), but the overall look and feel of this shoe makes it distinctive and unique, only the connoisseurs and real shoe lovers will and can appreciate this rendition. Naturally bespoke, where less is more. Very nice, indeed.

Master Koji Suzuki's rendition of a "Lazy Man's" shoe, with a punched cap toe and side gussets paired with faux laces.

Photos sourced from The Shoe Realist

The Marquess Full Brogue in brown

For the day I have sampled a typical full brogue laced Oxford shoe from Master Shoji Kawaguchi aka "Marquess". However this shoe is different, as it encapsulates in its design, form, shape and rendition the big three within English bespoke shoemaking. The below shoe has all the trademarks, beauty, artisanship, perfection and respect for details as in shoes made by Master Nikolaus Tuczek, The Cleverley's (Master GJ Cleverley and Master Anthony Cleverley) and Master Eric Cook. 

Master Shoji Kawaguchi kept the below shoe very simple, proportion wise well done, sleek, elegant, square chisel toe and lastly in a simple brown colour. Just so perfect, classical and timeless. 
If it was not of the "Marquess" on the pictures, I would have said it is a Cleverley made shoe or Master Nikolaus Tuczek and even Master Eric Cook creation. Well done Master "Marquess". 

Again it is the beauty of going bespoke, a perfect rendition of a brown full brogue laced Oxford from Master "Marquess". May the owner wear this beauty in good health.

Brown full brogue laced Oxford with a square chisel toe.

Photos sourced from Marquess Bespoke