Ken Kataoka
Shoemaker
Tokyo, Japan
A lifetime of lasts and leathers
- Ken crafts classic men’s footwear using the traditional hand sewn welt
- His main goal is to create timeless shoes
- He was awarded first place at the World Championships of Shoemaking 2026
Ken Kataoka is dedicated to creating leather shoes with balanced shapes, clean edges and durable construction that can be worn for many years. To achieve this, he uses the traditional hand sewn welted method, where most of the work is done by hand rather than machines. "This slower process allows me to carefully control both the overall form and the smallest details, always prioritising comfort and elegance," Ken says. He began studying shoemaking in Tokyo in 2017 and later developed his skills independently, researching last making, British-style bottom making and shoe tree carving. In 2019, he launched his own line and now works from his workshop in Tokyo.
INTERVIEW
I have always appreciated leather shoes and wanted to wear good quality ones, which gradually drew me deeper into this world. I used to work as an engineer, and changing professions was not a sudden decision, but a natural process over time.
The idea behind my work is to create shoes that are unaffected by time. I have seen shoes from a century ago that still look fresh today. My goal is to craft footwear that never loses its value or goes out of style, remaining timeless even after 50 or 100 years.
It was when my father ordered a pair of my shoes. He deals with motorcycle parts and makes parts by hand. As he is a craftsman himself, that moment made me feel both proud and deeply responsible.
Through platforms such as YouTube, I try to make visible the thought and quietness behind the making process. I try to reflect on the value of traditional craftsmanship today, when handcraft has become a conscious choice beyond economic efficiency.
Ken Kataoka
Shoemaker
Tokyo, Japan
ADDRESS
Address upon request, Tokyo, Japan
AVAILABILITY
By appointment only
LANGUAGES
Japanese, English
Homo Faber Finds is a new service aiming to inspire admirers of craft to connect and collaborate with exceptional artisans.
We invite you to submit an enquiry here.
