Noticing the Charm of Hita Geta Through Direct Interaction

First, please tell us about your company.

Our company is a workshop that manufactures and sells Hita geta, founded in 1948. Currently, we are managed by four people: my second-generation parents and my wife and I as the third generation.

Originally, my parents intended to close the workshop in their generation, and I had no plans to take over. However, when I had the opportunity to help at the workshop while working in a corporate job, I discovered the appeal of Hita geta. Experiencing the joy of craftsmanship led me to decide to take over.

What kind of appeal did you notice?

It's filled with the thoughts and dedication of the craftsmen. Since I was surrounded by geta from a young age, I didn't consciously recognize the intricate processes involved. I thought geta was simply finished once the materials were polished, painted, and the straps attached, but it’s not that simple.

Once I began to properly observe the craftspeople at work, I realized there are many backgrounds involved in the completion. Learning about the profoundness of geta rekindled my appreciation for it.

Furthermore, I noticed it can be matched with casual styles. In modern times, sneakers have become commonplace, and the opportunities to wear geta are diminishing. Once I began to ponder, "How can people be encouraged to wear them?" I found myself enjoying the craft even more.

Can you tell me the features of the geta your company produces?

The feature of our geta is that we use cedar sourced locally. We also have many geta made with original designs, and I believe we offer a wide variety of products.

What we aim for is a geta that can blend into one’s lifestyle. We want it to be not just a special footwear but something casual that can be worn daily, so when creating new products, we keep this point in mind.

Additionally, while creating them, I think about who is going to wear this geta and how nice it would be to hear that it is easy to wear.

There are many interesting designs for geta, right? Where did those ideas come from?

Friends who knew that my family makes geta would often say things like, “It would be fun to have a geta like this” or “I would want to wear a geta like that.”

Until I took over the family business, I didn’t really have the opportunity to put those ideas into shape, but after I got involved in making things, I was able to materialize those ideas thanks to encounters with various craftsmen.

Moreover, I have received offers from various companies, leading to collaborations, such as our geta being used as costumes in films or creating original geta for famous brands.

Collaborating allows us to introduce geta to people who previously had no interest in them, which I am very grateful for.