KAPITAL's Momotaro Sneakers Retell Medieval Japanese Folklore
Steeped in rich indigo dyes.
After dropping its military-inspired MA-1 sneakers two weeks ago, KAPITAL is back with brand new footwear. This time around, the Japanese label has looked to its country’s heritage for inspiration: an artful reference to Momotaro, the hero in one of the oldest tales in Japanese folklore.
Coming in colorways of white, olive and indigo, the sneakers bear a sleek low-cut mold reminiscent of retro footwear. Starting at the top of the silhouette is a woven “KAPITAL” tab, complemented by tonal laces at the central forefoot. Emboldened at the sidewalls are smooth full-grain leather panels, set against a silky satin body, cotton for the indigo version. The key highlight of the sneaker’s design is the Momotaro artwork at the heel, made up of intricately cut suede panels that have been sewn on. On the left heel is a depiction of a whole peach, whereas the right heel shows the protagonist springing out from the peach (“Momotaro” means Peach Boy in Japanese, which denotes his birth from a peach). As a final note, each colorway comes with a thin sole that’s been treated with a rich indigo dye, an appropriate nuance that nod’s to the denim-capital of Japan, Okayama Prefecture, where Kapital Blue Hands is based in and where Momotaro is commonly regarded as the region’s local hero.
The KAPITAL Momotaro Sneakers are currently available at the label’s website for $202 USD.
In case you missed it, check out KAPITAL’s American G.I.-inspired J-WAVE souvenir jacket.
