Vibrant handmade patchwork-stitched shoes with a split rubber sole, 2024.
Crafted by stitching leather using the traditional Japanese bookbinding technique known as Watoji. The design draws inspiration from Jomon pottery, which dates back over 5,000 years. The raised areas formed by the stitched leather echo the intricate patterns characteristic of Jomon ceramics. This work expresses the enduring beauty of Japan, passed down through generations.
Materials: leather, nylon and polyester thread.
Ushigome: ‘Each time I encounter someone’s thoughts, I feel as if I am being “stitched together” with them. This sensation reflects the way we continuously shape ourselves through daily interactions, much like the transformation of this work from a flat surface into a three-dimensional form. The repeated act of piecing and binding leather together resembles a prayer—one that takes shape through repetition.’
