ONITSUKA TIGER/ASICS Japanese Style Sneakers (Limited Edition)

Always capturing our fascination with a dash of cool Japonisme, Onitsuka Tiger/ASICS continues to turn tradition into fashion.ONITSUKA KAMOGUTSU
Inspired by kamogutsu or kamo-kutsu (“duck shoes”) boots, worn by officers of the Imperial Guard, courtiers and nobles who played Kemari (an ancient soccer game of Chinese origin popular during the Heian Period), Onitsuka’s Kamogutsu sneaker is as interesting as it is rare. This shoe rocks a suede toe box that extends into the mid-panel and transitions into a fabric material. Depending on mood and/or weather, the fabric can be worn up or rolled-down for a different look, so that you get two funky looks, for the price of one pair of shoes :-D

ONITSUKA OKATABI MT
Think ninja and imagine their split-toed “tabi” socks, or the heftier version, called “jika-tabi”, which are often worn by construction workers. Such Japanese shoes have been around hundreds of years and inspired what may have been the world’s first split-toe running shoe design: the Onitsuka Marathon Tabi produced in 1953. Nearly six decades later, this super-duper original split-toe construction has been revised in order to offer better fit and comfort, especially in the toe area. A rubber sole and a side strap have also been added for support. You’ll be surprised by how light the Okatabi MT feels, too - some folks even say it's like wearing just socks.

Hidden Gem: ONITSUKA TIGER 'Lay-Up 72' - Lmited Edition

You know, there's so much neat stuff in our little stores, occasionally some really interesting bits get overshadowed by other flashier stuff... Which brings us to today's “Hidden Gem” post.
The Onitsuka Tiger “Lay-Up 72” sneakers, still considered somewhat of an “undiscovered shoe” with great potential to become a classic, were first developed in in 1972 to cater to the trend of young people starting to wear sports shoes as a fashion item.
Named after the lay-up shot in basketball, the shoe featured innovative production processes (Lay-Up 72 was one of the very first sneakers to combine both nylon and vulcanised production), and a “Tiger” lettering on the side of the upper -- which was unusual for a sports shoe at the time.
The new set of re-issued designs for 2010 is based off original designs taken from the Onitsuka Tiger headquarters, dating back almost 40 years.
These kicks come in very limited quantities -- plus, what's left of them are now being offered at a markdown. Honestly, it'd be a bit of a sin, if you missed this :-)

ONITSUKA TIGER 'Monte Pokhara' Sneakers

Here is a look at the Monte Pokhara sneakers (which we are digging, A LOT) -- originally released as the “After Boots” in the mid-50s by iconic Japanese shoe company Onitsuka Tiger aka ASICS.
Named after Pokhara, the Nepalese tourist mecca, the Monte Pokhara’s mountaineering origins are evident in the minimalistic design and profile.
The updated Monte Pokhara looks like an urban moc/trail hybrid, and has a charming quirkiness that definitely grows on you.
With a banging mix of colours, shapes, and tech materials, the Onitsuka Tiger Monte Pokhara is quite the eccentric shoe. Just sliiiiightly crazy-looking, and guaranteed to attract longing gazes :-D
The uncomplicated tongue-free construction and pronounced heel-tab make it a cinch to slip the shoe on or off, too.
These dope kicks, BTW, are unisex.
Get ’em before they sell out!