Yamanishi Shoten — Shido Kiri Geta
Founded in 1921 — authentic paulownia geta sandals made in Shido, Japan's top paulownia geta producing region, with comfort and health in mind.
Yamanishi Shoten is a long-established paulownia geta workshop that has continued making "Shido's specialty paulownia geta" in Shido, Sanuki City, Kagawa Prefecture since its founding in 1921. Using high-quality paulownia wood sourced from Aizu and Echigo, finishing each pair carefully with traditional techniques — paulownia geta represent Shido, said to be Japan's top paulownia geta producing region. Light with cushioning, excellent in comfort and durability, also said to be good for preventing bunions and athlete's foot — paulownia geta are drawing attention not only for kimono wear but also as "a new fashion item" enjoyable matched to modern fashion. Through manufacturing, wholesale, and direct sales, plus factory tours and manufacturing process introductions, the shop also pursues initiatives passing the culture and techniques of Shido paulownia geta to the next generation.
Why We Love It
The preconception that "geta = painful, hard to walk in" gets blown away! Paulownia geta made by a long-established workshop continuing for 100 years in Japan's top producing region — Shido — are amazingly light with excellent cushioning. The ingenuity blending into modern fashion — like modern square shapes and designs matching denim — is also wonderful. While hearing the "karan koron" sound, this is a pair that teaches you the joy of walking with proper posture.
PROFILE About the Company / Workshop
Shido in Sanuki City, Kagawa Prefecture is a town once called "Japan's top paulownia geta producing region." The history of Shido paulownia geta truly began to move in 1907 when Mr. Fusatarou Sunayama started paulownia geta making in this land. Fusatarou directly purchased from production regions the highest-quality paulownia wood at the time — Niigata Echigo paulownia and Fukushima Aizu paulownia — and trained local youth as craftsmen. Shido developed as a major paulownia geta producing region.
Yamanishi Shoten's first generation, Yamanishi Tameichi, after training at various geta shops, founded the business in 1921. After later relocating to Shido and refining his techniques under Mr. Sunayama Fusatarou, he established his shop as an independent paulownia geta craftsman. Through postwar controlled economy, oil shock, and the shift to Western shoes — the environment surrounding geta changed greatly many times — but Yamanishi Shoten has continued protecting the techniques and culture of Shido paulownia geta while passing the baton from predecessor to current representative.
Currently, Yamanishi Shoten performs manufacturing, wholesale, and direct sales of paulownia geta — while also carefully sharing "what is Shido paulownia geta" through content introducing paulownia material characteristics, geta history, manufacturing processes, plus factory tours and experience acceptance. One paulownia log transforms into a geta platform, the hanao is fitted, and the geta is completed as one pair — by closely watching that series of flows, we can re-realize the craftsman's technique and time dwelling in daily footwear.
In an era when lifestyles have changed and opportunities to wear geta have decreased, light and not-tiring paulownia geta — pleasant to the bare foot — are being reconsidered not only for summer outings and yukata but also as a pair for indoor wear and relaxation time. Yamanishi Shoten continues to propose new ways of enjoying — incorporating paulownia geta into modern living — while inheriting Japan's top paulownia geta making continuing from Meiji and Taisho eras in the land of Shido.
Founded in 1921 — a long-established shop supporting Japan's top paulownia geta producing region
Yamanishi Shoten was founded in 1921 in what is now Tsuda-cho, Sanuki City, and after later relocating to Shido has consistently engaged in paulownia geta making. Committed to high-quality paulownia wood like Aizu paulownia and Echigo paulownia, this is a long-established workshop that has walked together with the history of Shido paulownia geta — which once boasted the highest production volume in Japan.
Light and gentle comfort using paulownia wood from Aizu and Echigo
For raw materials, the highest quality Niigata Echigo paulownia and Fukushima Aizu paulownia and so on are carefully selected. By using fine-grained, light paulownia wood, the geta finish into ones that feel soft against the foot and don't tire even when worn for long periods. Smooth even when worn barefoot, comfortable to spend even in summer — a major appeal.
Design considering comfort, durability, and even health
Shido paulownia geta excel not only in balance between comfort and durability — by a wearing method that firmly uses the toes, said to be good for preventing bunions and athlete's foot. Yamanishi Shoten proposes platform shape, height, and hanao (thong) fitting matched to foot type and use — delivering paulownia geta that fit a wide range of scenes from daily use to yukata and kimono wear.
"Ukon," "Masa," "Yosegi" wood mosaic — abundant variations
Light and easy-to-walk classic "Ukon Geta," "Masa Geta" with beautiful wood grain and pleasant "karan koron" sound, "Yosegi Zaiku" wood mosaic with grain and end-grain pattern alternated — a lineup combining design and practicality is assembled. Sizes for both men and women, plus shapes matching modern style like square platforms, are also developed.
Conveying traditional techniques through factory tours and experiences
The site introduces in detail the beginnings of paulownia geta, the history of Shido paulownia geta, commitment to materials, and manufacturing processes. Experiences and tours are also accepted — providing opportunities to learn about Japan's footwear culture and traditional techniques by viewing the craftsmen's workplaces and engaging with paulownia geta making.