The Japanese-style military boots worn by the army in Taiwan during the Japanese occupation period are one of the many good-looking and popular military boots. In 2007, Lin Guo received a commission to make a pair of military boots from the Japanese occupation period for a museum in Taiwan, and making a pair of boots from scratch actually had to go through quite a lot of revisions, especially when the historical information is limited, the angles and lines of many shoes had to be carefully considered, and we also started the development process of Japan military boots. Next, I will review the history of this pair of military boots, as well as simple wearing notes.
The Origin of Japanese Military Boots | The first military boots turned out to be leather soles
During the Japanese occupation period in Taiwan (between 1895 and 194 5), military boots were the basic equipment of soldiers popular at that time, judging from the literary and historical data, this pair of shoes was marked with the Zhaowu style on the sole (presumably the popular style in 1930), and it was always the style of leather soles, until Showa 18 (1943) when rubber began to replace cowhide as a bottom, but at the same time there were still leather soles and rubber soles on the market, which was extremely difficult to collect in the cultural relics market.
▲ The military boots of the Japanese army at that time (right) At that time, the military boots were made of thick cowhide, and there was no existing pigskin or cowhide lining, so it is speculated that although it was strong, it was relatively uncomfortable. According to the advertisement provided by the flight base of the Huwei Naval Air Force for selling military shoes in the store at that time, the shoes in this shop were very expensive, and the monthly salary of a first or second soldier was about 5 yuan and 50 yuan, and this shoe was sold for 2 yuan and 20 yuan a month, and the salary for buying two shoes for a month was gone, so it was regarded as an expensive military product. Thanks to the cultural and historical materials provided by the Huwei Naval Air Force Flight Base, which also helped us to reproduce a pair of beautiful Japan boots in the process.
▲ Japan military boots actual picture, using a single layer of cowhide and cloth laces
Development of Japanese-style military boots|New thinking on products from ancient cultural relics?
When Lin Guo Liangpin was proofing, modifying, and making this pair of military boots, a few sharp-eyed friends saw the prototype of this pair of boots in a corner of the studio, and the reaction was very enthusiastic, and they have been urging Lin Guo to commercialize the replica as soon as possible. However, how to not change the appearance of Japan military boots, and then inject the handmade leather sole production method that Lin Guo is good at, and meet the comfort requirements of today’s men for wearing boots? It became a big challenge for us.
How to design Japanese military boots to meet the new era|From reproduction to improved new products
Before 1943, Japan military boots were made of cowhide soles, the upper was a relatively rough single-layer thick leather, the simple five-hole design was not easy to put on and take off, and the gray-green sand-colored leather was mostly used. Lin Guo’s improved military boots are made of the first layer of vegetable-tanned cowhide, which is a more comfortable leather, and the leather of the military boots is changed to a more textured cowhide leather, and the two colors meet different needs. Among them, green is the color of military boots in imitation of the Japanese period, and the rendering coffee color is the color we added in 2021. On the last, a more rounded and full shoe shape is adopted, and the extension strip on the side of the shoe is widened, which adds the casual flavor of the boot shape, and the boot-shaped heel makes the wearing match look better. The sole is also made using the sewing method of our unique leather-soled shoes, and these modifications are to make this shoe more in line with the wearing habits of this era.
Finally, the cleats on the leather sole (which make a sonorous and annoying sound) were removed, the laces were changed from wide white cloth laces to thin round waxed laces of gentlemen’s shoes, and the single-layer leather lining and insole was replaced with a double-layer durable cow liner. This Japan replica of the Hayashi Guo Japanese-style military boots is complete. Friends who have a high opinion of boots should know; The three elements of leather soles, military boots, and vegetable tanned cowhide make this pair of boots worth cherishing and caring, in addition to being easy to wear, it also adds a long historical style!
Hayashi Guo Japanese style military boot style
Recommended notes for wearing Japanese-style military boots|Create a handsome military boots look in autumn and winter
Lin Guo’s Japanese-style military boots are made of army green and wax-brushed vegetable-tanned cowhide, and the master deliberately presents a slightly irregular gradient color by hand brushing and polishing, making each pair unique; It strengthens the sense of reproduction, echoes Lin Guo’s existing vintage style, and is also close to the original military style of military boots. Whether it is a more formal outfit or a little casual matching, Japanese military boots have no sense of disobedience. In terms of dressing, we recommend that you can use your own style to dress up, and here are two commonly used dressing suggestions.
▌ Japanese military boots wear recommendation 1 – thick wide pants Japanese casual gentlemanly style
If you want to show a rough style, we recommend that you wear green Japanese wide pants, and you can use a shirt and tie for the upper body with a bit of gentlemanly feeling, and a casual thick pound jacket to double the handsome style, so that the overall shape of the military boots has more layers and gentlemen, and becomes the focus of the street.
▌ Japanese-style military boots wear recommendation 2 – Smart elegant style of gentleman’s formal wear If you choose a darker color of military boots, in fact, you can also combine military boots with the formal wear of a working gentleman, a little elegant and a little handsome, who said that boots can’t be both masculine and tasteful? After work, you won’t feel too reserved to have a glass of wine.
Further Reading
【About the types and styles of men’s boots】Learn about the history and style of the three major men’s boots
Oxford shoes gentleman’s leather shoes are essential basics – shoe selection and wearing tips
The working man’s leather shoes and suits are matched with learning
