Shoes like pottery
The story behind Japan’s kiln-fired canvas sneaker
Oh wow, another Japanese sneaker I love. There’s a surprise.
Have you ever heard of Shoes Like Pottery?
I’ll admit it’s a strange name, but once you understand why, it immediately becomes one of the most interesting canvas sneakers money can buy. Well, I think so anyway.
You may have heard of MoonStar. They’re the company behind Shoes Like Pottery and also make canvas sneakers under their own name. They’re one of Japan’s oldest footwear manufacturers.
The factory is based in Kurume, Fukuoka Prefecture, a city with a long history of rubber shoe production dating back to the 19th century. MoonStar itself was founded in 1873, originally producing traditional Japanese footwear before becoming known for its vulcanised rubber shoes.
Find here - 01-JP Lo Sneaker - White
But what about the name? Well, this is where it gets really nerdy, but really interesting.
The brand name refers to the firing process.
Pottery is fired in a kiln to finish and strengthen it, and these shoes go through a similar process using a traditional Japanese ka-ryu vulcanisation method. This involves curing the rubber sole in a kiln using sulphur and heat.
Find here - 01JP-Hi Sneaker - Black
The result is a particularly flexible yet durable rubber sole, along with a strong bond between the canvas upper and the sole.
All of that attention to detail creates what I think is one of the best canvas sneakers out there.
They’re available from a number of retailers in a range of different colours, and that’s part of their charm.
Find here - 01JP Low Sneaker Green
There’s very little branding, although you’ll probably notice the vivid blue outsole. It’s become the signature detail of Shoes Like Pottery and stands out against the otherwise simple design. Each sole also carries a small circular heel stamp to show it has passed inspection after vulcanisation.
Find here - 01JP Low Sneaker Mustard
My first pair was the mustard yellow colourway, and since then I’ve picked up the red, which I really like too.
Find here - SLP01 JP Low Top Sneaker- Red
I get it. You can spend about half as much on a pair of Converse, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. They’re a classic for a reason.
But I don’t really think Shoes Like Pottery is trying to compete with Converse. The appeal is in how they’re made. MoonStar could have used the standard method for making canvas sneakers, but instead they’ve stuck with a slower process because they believe it produces a better shoe. That feels like a very Japanese way of doing things, and I think that’s what I like most about them.
Find here - 01JP HIGH SNEAKER WHITE
I’m trying to think when I first came across Shoes Like Pottery, and honestly, I can’t really tell you. They’re one of those brands that seems to pop up once you start getting into Japanese menswear.
They’re definitely not a mainstream sneaker. You’re unlikely to come across them on the high street, and I think that’s part of the appeal. Most people discover them through specialist shops or recommendations rather than advertising.
I do remember seeing them a few years ago in Japan House London, which is another recommendation if you’ve never been. It’s just off High Street Kensington and is a brilliant place if you’re interested in Japanese design and craftsmanship. There’s a shop selling everything from clothing and ceramics to stationery and food, as well as changing exhibitions, a library and a café. It’s well worth a visit.
Looking back, it’s actually the perfect place to have discovered them. Shoes Like Pottery sums up something I really like about Japanese manufacturing. They could have made another canvas sneaker using the usual methods, but instead they chose a slower process because they believed it produced a better shoe.
Find here - SLP01 JP Low Top Sneaker- Indigo
Even if you never buy a pair, I think the story behind the name is worth knowing. It’s a good example of how a bit of history and craftsmanship can make an everyday object far more interesting.