Since Misawa’s experience making shoes for a tap dancer, the sense of playing music with shoes occurred in his mind. Sometimes shoe-lovers liken shoes to the violin. Misawa precisely adapted each component of a violin. This form is ravishingly beautiful and radiates an antique atmosphere, and, like music, has melody, harmony, rhythm and dynamics. To introduce those elements he fabricated playfully with dyeing, gilding and carving, varied techniques acquired by making leather crafts. “Shoe as Instrument”- by wearing “Music” every step evokes music, completing this piece.
Bio Misawa trained as a shoemaker in Tokyo and in Vienna, Austria, for 10 years. In Vienna, he spent his free time visiting artists’ ateliers and art museums, where he was absorbed by the creative artistry. This experience inspired his career as an artist. Returning to Japan, he continued to learn under some Japanese artists and craftsmen for 4 years to extend his range of expression. It has been 20 years since he has engaged in shoemaking. He will keep pursuing the new value of “shoe art.”
Other prizes 2010 Germany, International Efficiency Contest of Shoemakers "Gold medal" and "Honor prize" 2015 The 33rd Japan leather crafts exhibition "Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Minister Award" 2021 GLOBAL FOOTWEAR AWARDS "BEST OVERALL WINNER" 2022 GLOBAL FOOTWEAR AWARDS "BEST OVERALL WINNER"
