In this unboxing video, we look at T.Shirakashi Bootmaker (T. for Tetsuya), a Bespoke shoemaker from Japan, and a pair of his unique and beautiful bespoke oxford boots, named the ‘O’Keeffe.’ I had been admiring this boot before receiving it. It was almost like the universe heard my admiration and sent the boots to me to share with all of you!
T.Shirakashi Bootmaker is less known outside of Japan but is a very crafted and skilled maker who was Yohei Fukuda’s first apprentice. With a teacher like that, Tetsuya had big boots to fill and has been doing a good job at doing so. While T.Shirakashi’s IG page is filled mainly with classic models, his skill in pattern making and finishing can still easily produce something as beautiful as these boots, especially when the client requests it. This remains very evident with these boots here.
These stunning oxford boots were a complete custom build-out, taking inspiration from two of the greatest shoemakers out there, TYE Shoemaker and Gaziano & Girling, naming it the O’Keeffe, which is also inspired by another artist, Georgia O’Keeffe. It is great to see how separate inspirations can come together to create another piece of art, unique in its own right. And nice that T.Shirakashi Bootmaker would entertain that and help the client’s dream boots come true!
I was fortunate enough to have these sent to me to get to know this shoemaker’s skill better and be introduced to a maker not often discussed. These are easily one of the coolest boots I have seen and were of the quality that you would expect from any great Japanese bespoke shoemaker. If you go to Japan or are in the market for your next pair of bespoke shoes/boots, I highly suggest giving T.Shirakashi Bootmaker a consideration.
Learn more here: https://shirakashi.myshopify.com/
—Justin FitzPatrick, The Shoe Snob
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