Gyosan sandal enthusiasts have gathered various types of gyosan in the online store "Gyosan Net." Although gyosan are typically associated with fishermen, recent years have seen a surge in variations, making them a popular choice for everyday use.
Narutoshi Asou, the manager of "Gyosan Net," was captivated by gyosan sandals, leading him to establish a site dedicated to selling a wide range of them. But how much do we really know about the charm of gyosan? He shared some insights with us.
PROFILE
Narutoshi Asou
Gyosan Net Manager
Before Being Captivated by Gyosan
First, can you tell us about the history of gyosan? When did it start gaining popularity among people outside of fishermen?
Originally, gyosan sandals began production in the late 1960s as a one-piece molded sandal made from PVC resin, mainly in Nara Prefecture. By the 1970s, they were being sold in the Ogasawara Islands. Their reputation for durability, longevity, and slip-resistance made them beloved by island residents.At that time, they were sold at fishery cooperatives and often worn by those in the fishing industry, which led to the abbreviated name "gyosan" (literally, "fish[ing] san[dals]").
Later, divers visiting Ogasawara for diving discovered gyosan, appreciated their functionality and affordability, and started using them. They also bought them as souvenirs, gradually spreading their popularity across the country.
In the 1990s, with the increase in color variations, they started to be used more frequently in urban areas.
What drew you to gyosan?
I'm originally from Kanagawa Prefecture, but I lived in Okinawa for about five years starting around 2003. Shortly after moving, a diver friend introduced me to gyosan. Despite wearing them almost every day for five years, they never broke. I was amazed by how fantastic they were.After returning to Kanagawa, I worked at a web design company and decided to bring the wonderful gyosan to a broader audience. I started "Gyosan Net" as a side business (hobby) in 2008.
Being someone who easily gets immersed in one thing, my love for gyosan grew, and by 2010, "Gyosan Net" became my full-time job.
The charm of gyosan lies in their "slip-resistance," "durability," and "budget-friendliness," along with their impactful nickname. Anyone wearing gyosan feels like a friend.
Spreading Gyosan Across Japan & the World
Tell us about the collection you offer.
We strive to stock as many types of gyosan as possible, in all colors and sizes.Initially, sizes only went up to 3L (27.5cm), but with increasing international demand, they now go up to 4L (29.5cm). We have a growing number of passionate gyosan fans from overseas.
Recently, the popularity of the Calypso "TYPE-T" has been rising.
The "Calypso" type, which can be considered the original gyosan design, has a new design for the first time in 50 years. This is a design I created myself, having been deeply immersed in gyosan.
I have a particular fondness for this product. The "T" in "TYPE-T" signifies my desire for people to wear them in towns as well.
Moreover, we offer "hand-dyed gyosan," with designs and dyeing done by me. Although hand-dyed gyosan are priced higher than standard ones, they have been extremely well-received.
At Gyosan Net, except for a few items, we mainly handle "PEARL" brand gyosan produced by our manufacturer, Maruju Industrial Co. The first gyosan I encountered were, of course, from the "PEARL" brand.
Any advice for those purchasing gyosan for the first time?
First-time gyosan wearers might find the area between the big toe and second toe painful, but you'll hardly notice it after wearing them for a while.Arashi's leader, Ohno, who is an enthusiastic fan of gyosan, even mentioned that "my feet are turning into gyosan feet."
What vision do you have for the future?
In the future, I aim to spread gyosan even more across Japan and the world. Within a few years, I'd like to create a place like "Gyosan Land," where everyone can experience everything about gyosan.Additionally, I plan to design new types of gyosan to match various situations.
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