Creative Sole

Creative Sole, Japanese Sneaker Culture is a book that looks at Japan s prolific presence in sneaker culture globally.

Creative, covetable and cool, Japanese sneakers are some of the most highly sought after in the world today, with an incredible amount of designers, collaborators, artists and makers, all infusing their creative energy into this multi-billion dollar industry.

This book includes hundreds of sneakers from the hottest Japanese designers, collaborations ranging from the crazy to the chic, to vintage, rare and Japan exclusive items. From Asics / Onitsuka Tiger s Olympic archival items, to the historic Japan-made sneakers sourced from the vaults of Tokyo s super collectors, this comprehensive book will thrill all lovers of design and fashion. Interviews with famous designers, artists, creative directors, and athletes provide exclusive background information into the world of kicks. This book is also the catalog for the unprecedented Japanese sneaker culture exhibition, Creative Sole at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles.

This exhibition was co-curated by Shigeyuki Kunii, creative director of the seminal sneaker brand mita, and SKIT, the most well-known sneaker store in Tokyo, for vintage and second hand kicks."