Elevating tradition with a pop art punch
ANN/THE JAPAN NEWS – Visionary artist Chie Suzuki embarks on a transformative journey for geta, breathing new life into this traditional footwear. With a blend of retro charm and vibrant pop art, she adorns them with motifs ranging from cats, pandas, flowers, fish, to girls.
Every year, this prolific geta artist unveils approximately 10 fresh creations, amassing an impressive portfolio of over 300 distinct designs. What sets her work apart is the unique approach of crafting each half of a pair with different designs, which harmoniously merge to form a singular, captivating image when brought together.
In her own words, Chie Suzuki expresses her artistic intent, saying, “My goal is to create geta that not only bring me joy during the creative process but also fill wearers with a sense of pride and delight.”
Cats and mice sumo wrestling across the sandals’ body give a lively, ukiyo-e feel. Little pandas relaxing on bamboo look cute. A retro-looking girl with bright red lips surrounding her appears coquettish. Suzuki said she was inspired by many things, such as landscapes of where she travelled as well as movies.
Born in 1974 in Shizuoka Prefecture, Suzuki has loved drawing since childhood and likes shoes. “Geta is a perfect canvas that incorporates both passions,” she said.
After graduating from a vocational school, she worked for a shoe manufacturer and studied design, but quit to make her original shoes. Fascinated with geta, she learned how to make the wooden footwear from a craftsman in Shizuoka and started her own business in 2010. Suzuki has also held exhibitions at department stores nationwide.
She draws a rough sketch in pencil directly on a plain wood body, draws an outline with paint, and colours the wood body with chemical dyes before finishing with urethane coating to make the geta chip-proof.
The straps are creative, too. Some are designed to match the clogs’ patterns, while others have lace or sequins attached.
“Straps stand out the most when they are worn, so I want to be attentive to detail,” she said.
Customers can choose the combination of clogs and straps. They are made to order so it can take up to six months for delivery.e
Geta are a traditional kimono item, but many of Suzuki’s customers wear them with regular clothes.
“Geta are often thought to be summer footwear but can actually be worn in any season,” said Suzuki. She recommends wearing them with tabi or split-toe socks in autumn and winter.
Fewer people are seen wearing geta today. “Geta look hard to walk in, but they come in various shapes,” she said. “I hope people feel that they are wearing their favourite artwork.”
Suzuki also produces geta art works that are not for sale.
One of her representative works is the acrylic Cinderella. The clog – featuring goldfish swimming along cherry blossoms – is not part of a pair.
The colourful Getarte realistically reproduces oranges and berries as if on a tart and cookies.
Suzuki said she has already sold bags and in the future would like to release clothing and other pieces that go well with her footwear. – Rie Hayashi
